By Eamonn Ryan
The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) Africa Conference concluded last week in Umhlanga with a strong sense of momentum and unity, as industry leaders emphasised collaboration, strategic planning and sector-wide relevance that stretches beyond cold storage to the broader HVAC&R landscape.
Paul Matthew, GCCA director for Africa. © RACA Journal
In his closing address, Paul Matthew, GCCA’s director for Africa, highlighted the tangible progress made since last year’s call to action, praising the growing openness from government and key stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue.
“This morning’s session, particularly from the Minister (of Agriculture), made it clear – the door is open,” said Matthew. “From what we saw with Transnet Ports Terminals on Tuesday, it’s evident that public and private sectors are ready to sit together and talk. Now it’s time for us to get our house in order and prepare a cohesive strategy.”
A central theme of the conference was the need for a structured, continent-wide strategy for 2026, developed in collaboration with GCCA’s advisory council and its members. Matthew called for industry participants to provide direct input on the pressing challenges they face, helping shape the future roadmap for the sector.
“What we do here in southern Africa can be replicated across the continent. In East Africa and our other regional partners, we have a real opportunity to be a leading voice – not just for cold chain, but for the entire HVAC&R sector.”
The discussions over the two-day event went beyond cold storage, touching on logistics, energy efficiency, climate control technologies and policy integration – highlighting the growing convergence of cold chain infrastructure with the wider heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) industry.
Matthew also stressed the importance of partnerships, noting that implementing a successful strategy will require alignment with various stakeholders, including government, logistics providers, technology firms and end-users.
The conference featured robust participation in committee meetings, networking sessions and panel discussions, all of which contributed to shaping the dialogue for the year ahead. Matthew extended gratitude to attendees, committee contributors, and especially the sponsors who made the event possible.
As the formal programme concluded, delegates gathered for a final networking event on the deck, where a light-hearted raffle – featuring a coveted bottle of whiskey – closed the conference on a festive note.
With planning for 2026 already underway, GCCA Africa is set to deepen its impact across the continent, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, collaboration and sector-wide transformation.
| About GCCA
The Global Cold Chain Alliance is a worldwide organisation representing all major industries engaged in temperature-controlled logistics. In Africa, it continues to be a driving force behind best practices, policy engagement, and industry collaboration in the cold chain and HVAC&R sectors. |
