By Esther Onyegbula

As inflation surges, fuel prices soar, and heatwaves intensify across Africa, Nigerian clean tech company Koolboks has launched Koolbuy, a groundbreaking platform designed to deliver affordable, solar-powered cooling to underserved households and small businesses, starting from as low as ₦1,500 per day.

At the official launch held Thursday at Radisson Blu, Ikeja, Lagos, Koolboks unveiled a suite of climate-smart refrigeration and air-conditioning solutions aimed at reducing food spoilage, cutting fuel dependency, and mitigating environmental harm, all while boosting economic inclusion.

“If you can’t keep your food cold, you can’t keep your business alive,” said Ayoola Dominic, CEO of Koolboks. “Koolbuy turns the sun into a business partner for those who need it most.”

Through exclusive partnerships with global appliance manufacturers, Koolbuy offers rugged, high-performance devices embedded with smart Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) technology, tailored for off-grid and under-electrified communities.

A key differentiator is Koolbuy’s climate-first policy. All appliances on the platform utilize natural refrigerants with zero ozone depletion potential and ultra-low global warming impact, effectively eliminating harmful substances like R134a and R22 commonly found in traditional cooling units.

“We refuse to sell toxic tech,” Dominic declared. “This is about clean cooling for a warming world.”

With cold storage access still below 20% in Sub-Saharan Africa, compared to 90% in developed countries, Koolbuy addresses the dual threat of food insecurity and environmental degradation, offering solutions that leapfrog outdated, polluting models.

From solar-powered freezers to PowerFoot Pedestals, plug-and-play solar systems that convert standard appliances into solar-powered units, Koolbuy’s offerings are structured to meet diverse needs through flexible financing plans.

Customers can lease, purchase, or swap units on daily, weekly, or monthly payment schedules, with initial deposits starting at 10%.

“This is not just about convenience, it’s about survival,” Dominic said. “Lack of cooling ruins medicine, accelerates food waste, and fuels climate change.”

Also launched was Scrap4New, a circular economy initiative that enables customers to trade in outdated, high-emission appliances for solar-ready, environmentally friendly replacements, an attempt to prevent a flood of second-hand, harmful equipment as the continent’s middle class expands.

“If we get cooling wrong, we’ll cook Africa,” Dominic warned.

Themed “The Cold Truth,” the event drew over 220 participants including dignitaries from Business France, Coca-Cola, TotalEnergies, UK Manufacturing Africa, and All On.

Notably, actress Mercy Johnson was unveiled as Koolboks’ brand ambassador, amplifying the company’s push for grassroots impact.

A high-level panel discussion titled “The Cold Chain Crisis: Who Really Pays the Price?” explored the financial, social, and environmental costs of Africa’s fragile refrigeration infrastructure. Moderated by Deborah Gael, Koolboks’ Co-founder and COO, the panel included representatives from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, All On, and other key stakeholders.

“Imagine running your frozen food business without spending a naira on petrol,” Gael said. “That’s the freedom we’re offering.”

Koolboks concluded the event with a strong policy appeal to the Federal Government:

Enforce clean cooling standards. Enable duty-free solar imports. Invest in public awareness campaigns.

“This is about climate justice, food justice, and economic justice,” said Dominic. “Everyone deserves access to clean, affordable cooling, not just the privileged few.”

As Africa faces the dual crises of food insecurity and climate change, Koolbuy emerges as a timely, transformative platform, bringing not just cooling, but climate resilience and economic empowerment to the frontlines of a warming world.