Nigeria's Ecotutu Providing Smart Cooling for Farmers

Founded in 2020 by Babajide Oluwase and Michael Akinsete, Ecotutu is a Nigerian cleantech startup delivering innovative, solar-powered cold storage solutions tailored for agricultural markets and healthcare facilities. Operating in regions plagued by frequent power outages, the company offers affordable, off-grid refrigeration through “pay-as-you-chill” models, allowing producers and retailers to access cold storage without heavy upfront costs.

Ecotutu’s technology has reached thousands of users across Nigeria, helping reduce food waste, extend shelf life, and boost farmers’ incomes. The company estimates having impacted over 6,000 farmers and preserved approximately 70,000 tonnes of produce, greatly enhancing food system resilience.

In 2023, it launched a 3.75-ton solar-powered cold room at Sabongida Market in Nasarawa State, marking a major step in expanding its solar cold-chain services nationwide.

Ecotutu’s mission has earned significant acclaim. In 2025, co-founder Michael Akinsete received the Agropreneur of the Year award from the Netherlands Consulate for his leadership in sustainable cold storage solutions.

The startup was also a finalist in the UN World Food Programme’s Zero Hunger Challenge in 2021, and won N20 million at Zenith Bank’s FutureForward Tech Fair in 2022. As Ecotutu scales, it continues to pioneer eco-friendly refrigeration technologies that safeguard livelihoods and strengthen food systems across Africa.