IFRIA breaks ground on US$20M Senegal cold storage facility to cut post-harvest losses
IFRIA’s investment comes as Senegal accelerates efforts to expand its national cold storage capacity.
SENEGAL – International cold chain operator IFRIA has started construction of a US$20 million refrigerated warehouse at the Diamniadio Industrial Platform near Dakar, expanding its African footprint and supporting Senegal’s strategy to reduce post-harvest losses.
The project is estimated to cost 11.5 billion CFA francs (approx. US$20 million), with completion expected within 18 months. The warehouse will provide 10,000 pallet positions for chilled and frozen products, and a photovoltaic solar plant will supply part of its electricity needs.
IFRIA plans to develop an integrated cold chain platform serving agricultural, agribusiness, fisheries, pharmaceutical, and retail operators, with the aim of improving the preservation of perishable goods, enhancing product quality, and facilitating distribution.
Furthermore, the Senegal project marks another step in IFRIA’s African expansion, following the company’s establishment of an operational presence in Morocco in 2012.
Additionally, IFRIA developed the Friopuerto Tanger cold logistics platform at the Tanger Med port complex, which entered service in 2016 and supports companies engaged in international trade in perishable products.
Building on this experience, IFRIA now seeks to strengthen its network in West Africa, where insufficient cold storage infrastructure continues to constrain the development of agricultural and agribusiness value chains.
IFRIA’s investment comes as Senegal accelerates efforts to expand its national cold storage capacity. The government aims to develop a nationwide network with 250,000 tonnes of refrigerated storage capacity. The strategy addresses persistent post-harvest losses, which account for 30% to 40% of national agricultural production, particularly in horticulture.
Cold storage plays a critical role in Senegal’s industrial strategy by enabling producers to manage seasonal production peaks, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve product quality for both domestic consumption and international export.
Furthermore, several investment initiatives are underway. In June 2026, German investors announced a €100 million (US$114 million) commitment to strengthen the country’s refrigerated storage capacity.
Meanwhile, Dakar is advancing the Agricool public-private partnership, a 170 billion CFA franc (US$297 million) programme that includes the construction of about 10 refrigerated warehouses in the country’s main production areas.
By integrating renewable energy and advanced logistics, this initiative aims to improve the quality of perishable goods for both local consumption and international export. Through its Diamniadio investment, IFRIA joins a broader effort to modernize food logistics across West Africa.
Ultimately for Senegal, these investments should strengthen the competitiveness of agricultural value chains, support local processing industries, and expand export capacity.
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