Business

Problem

East Africa has some of the world's most abundant fish resources, however, physical, commercial and structural barriers mean that millions still can't access affordable protein. Physically, post-harvest logistics are fragmented and lacking cold chain technology, resulting in up to 30% of fish stocks spoiling before reaching consumers. Commercially, the small-scale retailers (Mama Samaki) that account for 84% of fish sales are trapped without capital, technology and reliable supply, spending hours sourcing manually rather than selling. Structurally, there is no organised middle layer connecting farms to retailers, leaving a vacuum where middlemen can inflate prices.

Solution

CoolCatch operates as a supply chain platform connecting fish farms to retailers, optimising logistics and minimising waste. This is done through an asset light model: rather than owning farms, factories, or fleets, CoolCatch builds the infrastructure. The company aggregates fish from multiple farms to ensure supply resilience, processes through certified partner facilities on a toll model, and distributes via outsourced logistics with strict cold chain protocols. The model is distinct as it converts informal retailers (Mama Samaki) into franchised Smart Agents, equipping them with branding, technology, and cold storage financed through their own commissions. All of this is enabled by the CoolCatch technology platform that creates real-time visibility and automated coordination across the entire chain.

Impact

CoolCatch reduces emissions in Kenya's fish sector by ensuring an intact cold chain from farms to franchised retailers, cutting the 20–26% of harvests typically lost to fragmented, unreliable supply chains. Solar-powered cooling at retail points further shrinks the company's operational carbon footprint. Promoting fish, the animal protein with the lowest carbon footprint, also supports climate-friendly diets. The company's model also strengthens food and nutrition security by closing protein and micronutrient gaps in a country where per capita fish consumption is just 2.5 kg annually versus the WHO's 10.4 kg reference. It also advances economic dignity by transforming informal subsistence retailers (Mama Samaki), 60% of which are women, into formal franchise owners.