Rockefeller and World Bank Invest in African Solar Agriculture

The Rockefeller Foundation and the World Bank are providing tens of millions of dollars to non-profit organizations to enhance agricultural productivity in Africa through solar-powered technologies. The initiative aims to improve food security and economic stability across the continent.

Technology Deployment

The program will support the rollout of solar-powered cold storage facilities, refrigerators, water pumps, and grain mills in Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Implementation will be led by Clasp, a Washington, DC-based non-profit organization focused on energy efficiency and clean energy access.

Program Expansion

During a visit to a solar-powered cold storage facility in Nairobi on January 15, Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah indicated the program has significant potential for expansion. He stated that there will be more resources available country by country.

Funding and Mission 300

The funding is being deployed through the Productive Use Financing Facility (PUFF), an initiative under Mission 300. Mission 300, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), aims to mobilize tens of billions of dollars to expand electricity access to 300 million people across Africa by 2030.

Why this matters

Agriculture remains the backbone of many African economies, employing more than half of the continent’s workforce. Farmers face challenges including unreliable electricity, limited cold storage, and inefficient processing systems, contributing to post-harvest losses estimated at up to 30–40% for some crops.

The World Bank-backed initiative targets energy access, a persistent weakness in Africa’s food supply chain, by deploying solar-powered cold rooms and processing equipment. Solar solutions allow farmers to preserve produce, reduce spoilage, and sell goods at better prices, even in off-grid or poorly electrified areas.

The program aligns with broader climate and development goals. Solar-powered agricultural tools reduce reliance on diesel generators, lower carbon emissions, and reduce operating costs for smallholder farmers.

In the long term, this can help stabilize food prices, improve rural incomes, and strengthen food security across the participating countries.