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GCCA calls for immediate policy action to ensure Africa’s cold chain logistics strengthens the resilience of food supplies amid challenges of power outages and load shedding.
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The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) urges Africa’s temperature-controlled logistics operators to take urgent policy action to strengthen food supply chain resilience against future energy outages and load shedding. I’m looking for it.
The call comes after GCCA Africa released a new report showing the negative impact of power outages and loading stoppages on temperature-controlled storage and transportation operations critical to food and pharmaceutical supply chains.
The report was commissioned by the Global Cold Chain Alliance Africa Advisory Board and conducted by Tutowa Consulting Group.
The new report was developed with input from 15 GCCA Africa members and African energy experts. Collect qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of stakeholders, including business leaders, technology experts, and researchers.
The report shows that cold chain resilience is particularly important in Botswana, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
According to the report, frequent power outages during the operation of load-limited strain refrigeration equipment increase maintenance and breakdowns in cold chain operations.
The policy measures that the GCCA recommends to governments are detailed in a new report. They include:
Increase the supply of renewable energy through measures such as extending renewable energy incentives, providing tax credits for cold chain businesses that invest in renewable energy, and establishing financing mechanisms for energy efficient technologies and storage solutions. Promote. The report also recommends a one-year suspension of import duties and value-added taxes on batteries and solar components. Minimize the risk of future power outages by using the cold chain sector as an energy storage medium through demand-side management strategies. The introduction of intelligent technologies for real-time monitoring and data sharing in the cold chain will reduce the impact on temperature-controlled logistics during power outages, optimize trade facilitation and reduce waiting times at border crossings, Increase resilience to power outages. The report also recommends investing in the training and development of cold chain technicians for repair, maintenance and innovation.
GCCA Africa published a ‘Call to Action’ in August 2024, asking governments and the temperature-controlled logistics industry how to ensure the significant economic, social and environmental benefits of expanding cold chains in Africa. We have decided whether we can cooperate.
The call to action highlights the importance of Africa’s cold chains to enhance their critical role in strengthening African economies and food security and enabling the continent to reap the potential benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Reliable access to energy is emphasized as a key requirement. ).
GCCA is an international association that advocates on behalf of the temperature-controlled warehousing, transportation, and logistics industry, promoting best practices through research, industry benchmarking, networking, and education.
Read the full report here: “Improving Cold Chain Resilience Amid Successive Energy Outages, AKA Load Shedding”
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