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A formidable bridge between governments, industry, academia, social bodies and financial institutions
–By Bhagwati Prasad
The upcoming Africa-Asia Intercontinental Cold Chain Summit 2026 is set to be a landmark gathering that will bring together global stakeholders to deliberate and forge a shared vision for resilient, inclusive and sustainable cold chain systems across Africa and Asia. Slated for April next year in Kigali, Rwanda, the Summit will convene over 500 senior delegates from more than 30 countries, representing governments, international organisations, private industry, academia and international development agencies.
This pioneering Summit is being co-hosted by the National Accreditation Body for Cold Chain Management (NAB-CCM) and Foresight Institute of Research and Development (FIRAT). NAB-CCM is a prominent body driving cold chain standardisation, accreditation and capacity-building across sectors including agri-food and healthcare. FIRAT, on the other hand, is a future-focused think tank and implementation institute that specialises in research, policy innovation and sustainable development initiatives across Africa. Together, these two organisations are facilitating a transcontinental platform that aims to address critical cold chain gaps through collaborative action, technology transfer and institutional partnerships.
A major outcome of the Summit will be the formal launch of the Africa-Asia Cold Chain Alliance to strengthen the Cold Chain Community, a permanent platform for joint action, knowledge exchange, and coordinated investments. This Alliance will serve as a bridge between governments, industry, academia, social bodies and financial institutions committed to building cold chain systems that are context-sensitive, cost-effective and climate-smart.
Another important milestone of the Summit will be the adoption of the Kigali Declaration on Transcontinental Cold Chain Cooperation, symbolising a united commitment to accelerating progress through partnership. Additionally, a strategic document titled the Africa-Asia Cold Chain Roadmap (2026–2030) will be unveiled, outlining a clear framework for infrastructure development, capacity enhancement, innovation scaling and investment mobilisation over the next five years.
The Summit is aiming to sign at least ten formal partnership agreements and memoranda of understanding, alongside the announcement of several cold chain pilot projects and investment commitments across both continents. A comprehensive post-event proceedings report will be published, capturing key innovations, regional case studies and policy insights for global dissemination.
This transformative event will bring together representatives from ministries of health, agriculture, trade and environment; multilateral bodies such as FAO, WHO, AfDB, ADB, and UN agencies; private sector leaders in logistics, agribusiness, pharma and refrigeration; academic and research institutions; standards agencies; and investment partners. By acting as a catalyst for innovation, coordination and investment, the Africa-Asia Intercontinental Cold Chain Summit 2026 represents a vital step toward building the supply chains of the future—resilient, equitable and capable of serving billions across two continents.
Whether ensuring safe delivery of vaccines or preserving agricultural produce, cold chain infrastructure is key to strengthening food systems, public health, and climate resilience. However, large parts of Africa and Asia continue to face infrastructure deficits, high energy costs, inconsistent regulatory environments and limited rural connectivity, making cold chain development both a challenge and an urgent priority.
The Africa-Asia Cold Chain Summit 2026 is being launched at a time when cross-border collaboration is crucial. Through a mix of high-level panels, expert dialogues, and bilateral meetings, the event will focus on strengthening policy and regulatory coherence, advancing innovative cold chain technologies, improving last-mile healthcare logistics and unlocking innovative business models and financial instruments to scale up infrastructure.