ENHANCING NUTRITION AND FOOD SYSTEMS RESILIENCE UNDER THE STABILITY-AND-PEACE INNOVATION ACCELERATOR PROGRAM: THE FOOTPRINTS OF KOOLBOKS COLD STORAGE SOLUTIONS IN FRAGILE AND CONFLICT-AFFECTED (FCA) SETTINGS OF NORTHEAST, NIGERIA

This study examined the milestones of Koolboks solar-powered cold storage solutions in fragile and conflict-affected settings of Northeast Nigeria, particularly in Adamawa and Borno States, towards enhancing nutrition and food systems resilience under the Stability and Peace Innovation Accelerator Programme. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select respondents across the study area. Two states and seven Local Government Areas were purposively selected in the first and second stages to ensure representation of the target population. A mixed research design was adopted to collect data from 172 respondents, representing ten percent of the relevant population, regarding their perceptions of cold storage innovations on businesses and their implications for nutrition and food system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected areas. The study employed descriptive statistics and regression analysis to test the study hypotheses. The results revealed that the integration of IoT-enabled temperature monitoring into Koolboks refrigeration units significantly improves operational efficiency. Specifically, IoT-integrated refrigeration systems were found to significantly enhance cooling performance (β = 0.462, p < 0.01) and profit margins (β = 0.508, p < 0.01), while significantly reducing breakdown incidents (β = −0.398, p < 0.01) and maintenance visits (β = −0.351, p < 0.01). These findings confirm that early detection of temperature fluctuations through IoT monitoring facilitates proactive maintenance and enhances system reliability. The study also found strong market acceptance and demand for Koolboks refrigeration solutions among micro and small-scale enterprises, with many respondents expressing willingness to adopt the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) financing model. The deployment of solar-powered refrigeration units further contributes to reducing food spoilage, lowering energy costs, and improving the economic prospects of local businesses operating in fragile environments characterized by unreliable electricity supply. Koolboks, through the IITA/CGIAR-facilitated Public–Private Partnership (PPP) and prospective users’ profiling, is therefore well positioned across several impact metrics, including improved food preservation among micro enterprises, particularly in frozen foods, beverages, and dairy product sectors; reduction in food spoilage and extension of product shelf life; women and youth economic empowerment through downstream job creation; financial inclusion through the PAYG business model; and greenhouse gas emission reduction through the displacement of fossil fuel-powered generators. The study concludes that solar-powered refrigeration technologies integrated with IoT monitoring and flexible financing models present a viable pathway for strengthening food systems resilience, improving small business productivity, and enhancing livelihood opportunities in fragile and conflict-affected regions. The study therefore recommends scaling up the deployment of Koolboks refrigeration solutions through strengthened public–private partnerships, targeted awareness campaigns, and improved financing mechanisms that support micro and small enterprises in conflict-affected communities.