On December 4 in Kaduna, Propcom+ (funded by UK Aid) convened innovators, agro-vets, financial institutions, policymakers, solar technology providers, and last-mile service actors for a learning event: “Unlocking Cold Chain Innovations: Lessons from the Solar Refrigerators Pilot for Poultry/Livestock Vaccine Storage and Distribution.”
Panellists pose for a photograph after a panel discussion
The event focused on transitioning beyond the pilot phase toward the sustainable, commercial-scale adoption of Solar Refrigerators (SRs) for vaccine storage and distribution. In Nigeria, power fluctuations don’t just spoil vaccines—they threaten livelihoods. When vaccines lose potency, farmers lose flocks and agro-dealers lose trust. The SR pilot, implemented in collaboration with Ambuvet Konsult and Tropical Poultry Services, aimed to address this broken link.
Dr. Wayuta Mshelia of Ambuvet noted growing confidence in the technology:
“In the last six to seven months, more agrovet dealers have shown interest because of the credibility of this cold-chain innovation.”
Dr. Muhammed Gazali of Tropical Poultry Services added:
“We positioned our model as a premium medical refrigerator, an assurance of quality, not just a box.”
Field stories were even more compelling. Dr. Khadija Shuaibu, a female veterinary doctor and pilot beneficiary, shared:
“The innovation gave me consistent access to quality products, ending the ‘no product’ syndrome. It expanded my customer base and made me a local hub despite unreliable electricity.”
A cross-section of participants
Scaling this innovation requires capital. Banks like Sterling Bank, FCMB, and Standard Microfinance Bank agreed: financing solar fridges is more than an asset loan, it’s a pathway to financial inclusion, especially for rural agrovets and women-led businesses. Technology partners showcased homegrown solutions, ranging from 72-hour vaccine carriers to portable solar panels, demonstrating that Nigeria already has the necessary hardware to address last-mile cold-chain challenges.
As Propcom+ drives adoption, one message stands out: scaling innovation is a team sport. It takes banks that believe, technicians who maintain systems, agrovets who store vaccines safely, and farmers who depend on them. With commitment and the right partnerships, even the cold chain for livestock vaccination can become a warm path to opportunity.
