In a context where technology and innovation are transforming many sectors of activity, Keep IT Cool stands out for its ability to meet a crucial need for fishermen in remote regions of Kenya: that of preserving their fish fresh and connecting them efficiently to buyers. Through its Markiti platform, this Kenyan start-up has set itself the goal of limiting losses for producers and facilitating the connection between supply and demand.
Keep IT Cool’s approach is based on well-thought-out logistics. Each week, the company receives an average of between 15 and 20 tons of fish, mainly tilapia from the Ugandan side of Lake Victoria, as well as Nile perch from Lake Turkana. These products are meticulously processed upon receipt by a dedicated team, guaranteeing optimal quality. After being prepared, sorted and packaged, they are stored in a refrigerated warehouse awaiting delivery to customers, whether they are catering establishments or individuals in Nairobi.
One of Keep IT Cool’s strengths lies in its ability to connect small producers to markets efficiently. By working closely with fishermen organised into cooperatives, the company ensures that orders are placed according to real needs, thus avoiding overproduction and unnecessary losses. In addition, by providing fishermen with equipment such as ice-making machines and coolers, Keep IT Cool helps ensure that the cold chain is respected, which is essential for preserving the quality of the products.
The genesis of Keep IT Cool in 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, underlines the importance of its commitment to reducing food waste and increasing producers’ incomes. By winning one of the prestigious Earthshot Awards, the start-up has received further recognition for its environmental and social efforts. With a dynamic team of one hundred employees and prospects for expansion to other products and markets in the region, Keep IT Cool is positioning itself as a key player in the transformation of agri-food in Kenya.
In conclusion, Keep IT Cool embodies the example of a company with a positive impact, effectively combining technological innovation, optimized logistics and social and environmental commitment. Its business model is based on an inclusive vision, aimed at supporting local producers while meeting the needs of urban consumers. At a time when sustainability and traceability of food products are at the heart of concerns, Keep IT Cool offers a concrete and effective solution to transform the fisheries sector in Kenya and beyond.