Evolution III Fund, Inspired Evolution’s dedicated next-generation energy transition fund, has signed transaction agreements committing $20m to Cold Solutions East Africa Holdings Limited (CSEAHL), a temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics platform operating across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

Anthony Ngugi, Investment Director at Inspired Evolution, said: "It’s been a pleasure to work on this transaction, which aligns with our investment theme of resource efficiency. It’s also highly impactful – contributing directly to improved food security in East Africa by strengthening the region’s cold-chain ecosystem."

The investment will support the development and construction of modern cold-chain infrastructure throughout East Africa, helping to reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen food systems, enhance food security, and drive energy and resource-efficient growth in the region. 

CSEAHL is an investment vehicle owned by the ARCH Cold Chain Solutions East Africa Fund (CCSEAF), which is managed by ARCH Emerging Markets Partners Limited (ARCH). African Rainbow Capital Proprietary Limited, through its subsidiary ARC Guernsey Limited, is the controlling shareholder of ARCH.

Wayne Keast, Managing Partner at Inspired Evolution, said: "Cold Solutions East Africa reflects the type of climate-resilient, scalable platform that embodies Inspired Evolution’s investment philosophy.

"By driving energy efficiency and sustainability into regional supply chains, this initiative tackles food waste at scale while reinforcing resilience in the face of climate change. For us, this investment is not only about growth; it is about backing businesses that deliver measurable impact — enabling smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable economies across Africa. This investment reflects Inspired Evolution’s continued focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, food system efficiency, and sustainable development across sub-Saharan Africa."

Suki Muia, Investment Director at ARCH, added: “We are excited to welcome Inspired Evolution to the Cold Chain strategy and look forward to collaboratively rolling out and growing the cold chain network in East Africa. The $20m additional commitment to the Fund by Inspired Evolution will facilitate the roll out of the remaining 4 facilities in Kampala, Kigali, Dar-es Salaam, and Mombasa, complementing the flagship Tatu City Facility that is already operational.” 

Marlene Jennings, CEO at ARCH, said: "This partnership with Inspired Evolution underscores the importance of mobilising climate-smart capital into critical infrastructure for Africa’s food systems. Cold Solutions East Africa is not only addressing post-harvest losses but also enabling farmers, businesses, and consumers to access reliable and efficient cold storage. We look forward to working closely with Inspired Evolution to accelerate the rollout of facilities that will have a lasting impact on regional trade and food security."