International cold chain operator IFRIA has expanded its African footprint with a new investment in Senegal. According to the Senegalese Press Agency (APS), IFRIA started construction on July 16, 2026, of a refrigerated warehouse at the Diamniadio Industrial Platform, near Dakar.
The project carries an estimated cost of 11.5 billion CFA francs ($20 million). The company expects to complete the facility within 18 months. The warehouse will provide 10,000 pallet positions for both chilled and frozen products, while 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. The company aims to improve the preservation of perishable goods, enhance product quality and facilitate distribution.
Expansion Follows Moroccan Operations
The Senegal project marks another step in IFRIA's African expansion after the company established its operational presence in Morocco.
Beginning in 2012, IFRIA developed the Friopuerto Tanger cold logistics platform at the Tanger Med port complex. The facility entered service in 2016 and supports companies involved in the international trade of perishable products.
The site provides temperature-controlled storage solutions for agricultural, food processing and fisheries products. Its location within Tanger Med enables it to connect African supply chains with international markets, particularly in Europe.
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. The Diamniadio project represents the company's first major investment in Senegal and aims to provide logistics services that meet growing local demand.
New Link in Senegal's Cold Storage Strategy
IFRIA's investment comes as Senegal accelerates efforts to expand its national cold storage capacity.
The government aims to develop a nationwide network capable of providing 250,000 tonnes of refrigerated storage capacity.
The strategy responds to persistent post-harvest losses that affect several agricultural sectors. According to official data, post-harvest losses account for 30% to 40% of national agricultural production, particularly in horticulture.
The challenge has become more pressing as agricultural output continues to rise. In 2025, Senegal recorded record production levels for several crops, including nearly 450,000 tonnes of onions, 245,000 tonnes of potatoes, and 112,500 tonnes of bananas.
To address these losses, several investment initiatives are underway. In June 2026, German investors announced a commitment of 100 million euros ($114 million) to strengthen the country's refrigerated storage capacity. Meanwhile, Dakar is advancing the Agricool public-private partnership, a 170 billion CFA franc ($297 million) program that includes the construction of about 10 refrigerated warehouses in the country's main production areas.
Beyond storage, Senegal views the expansion of the cold chain as an industrial priority. The government expects the new infrastructure to help producers and processors manage seasonal production peaks, reduce post-harvest losses and improve the quality of products supplied to domestic and international markets.
Through its Diamniadio investment, IFRIA joins a broader effort to modernize food logistics across West Africa. For Senegal, these investments should strengthen the competitiveness of agricultural value chains, support local processing industries and expand export capacity.
