KaFresh, a Ugandan agritech company tackling food spoilage with an innovative spray coating, has attracted fresh investment from the Nairobi Business Angel Network (NaiBAN). The funding aims to accelerate the deployment of its post-harvest solution, which extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables without refrigeration. This development highlights the increasing focus on sustainable agricultural technologies to address Africa’s food security challenges.
Globally, over half of all fresh fruits and vegetables are lost before reaching consumers due to inadequate storage and distribution systems. This problem is especially acute in Africa, where food waste exacerbates hunger and undermines farmers’ livelihoods. Conventional cold storage systems, while effective, are prohibitively expensive and largely inaccessible to many smallholder farmers.
KaFresh seeks to bridge this gap with its affordable, room-temperature food preservation spray. Made from plant-based materials, including overripe fruits, the solution delays spoilage by reducing oxidation and microbial decay. The result is an extended shelf life of up to three times for treated produce, enabling farmers to store and sell their harvests more effectively.
Jean-Paul Nageri, co-founder of KaFresh, cites personal experience as a driving force behind the startup’s creation. “Growing up, I witnessed how much my father, a plantain farmer, struggled with spoilage due to unreliable markets and lack of storage options,” Nageri explained. “KaFresh was born from a desire to create a solution that is practical, scalable, and accessible.”
KaFresh’s innovation is a boon for smallholder farmers who face a harsh reality: an inability to access cold storage often leads to immediate market flooding, driving down prices and increasing spoilage. The startup’s spray acts as a “damping mechanism” in the supply chain, helping farmers manage their harvests more efficiently.
The Nairobi Business Angel Network’s decision to invest reflects growing interest in agritech solutions that address systemic inefficiencies in Africa’s food systems. Speaking on the investment, a NaiBAN representative said, “KaFresh is solving a fundamental issue in the agricultural value chain — food spoilage. This innovation is not just about technology; it’s about improving livelihoods and ensuring food security.”
NaiBAN’s funding will allow KaFresh to scale its operations, optimize its product, and expand its reach across Africa. The investment aligns with NaiBAN’s mission to support early-stage startups that drive impact through innovation.
The spray coating is designed to be applied directly to fresh produce, creating a transparent, plant-based barrier that slows down the natural processes of decay. By preventing oxidation and microbial growth, KaFresh reduces spoilage and weight loss without altering the produce’s taste or appearance.
KaFresh is also environmentally sustainable, utilizing waste materials such as overripe fruits in its formulation. This aligns with global efforts to adopt circular economy practices, further enhancing its appeal to farmers and exporters seeking green solutions.
Founded in 2020, KaFresh operates under the umbrella of Sio Valley Technologies. The startup has already gained traction through programs such as the Endeavor South Africa Agri-Tech Scale-Up initiative, which provides mentorship, networking, and growth support to high-potential startups. Additionally, KaFresh recently joined the develoPPP Ventures cohort, which offers funding and resources to scale innovative businesses.
The funding from NaiBAN marks a pivotal step in KaFresh’s journey. The company plans to expand its reach across Africa and explore global markets where food loss remains a critical issue. By complementing traditional cold storage solutions, KaFresh positions itself as an integral part of the future of food preservation.
KaFresh’s co-founder Trevor Siu acknowledges the complexities of scaling a B2B solution in agriculture, particularly in fragmented markets. “Building trust is essential,” Siu said. “We prioritize trial-based collaborations with farmers and exporters, demonstrating the effectiveness of our solution on their specific challenges.”
Despite these challenges, KaFresh’s potential is undeniable. With food loss accounting for billions of dollars in wasted resources annually, innovations like KaFresh are poised to disrupt conventional approaches to food storage. The company’s long-term vision is to become a comprehensive provider of post-harvest solutions, reducing food waste globally and enhancing supply chain resilience.
KaFresh’s story demonstrates the power of innovation in addressing Africa’s pressing food security challenges. By extending the life of fresh produce, the startup not only reduces waste but also improves farmers’ incomes and stabilizes market prices.
As the global population grows and climate change intensifies agricultural pressures, solutions like KaFresh represent a critical shift toward sustainability. With its roots in Uganda and its sights set on the world, KaFresh is charting a course that could reshape food systems far beyond Africa.
