Innovative solutions for fragile communities: WFP accelerator team visits IITA Yola

The IITA Yola office recently hosted a delegation from the World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator for a field visit under the Fragility, Conflict, and Migration Innovation (FCMI) Accelerator program. The visit, from 18 to 22 November 2024, marked the second engagement of the WFP team in Nigeria. The first interaction occurred during a Boot Camp held in July 2024 to orient partners and stakeholders on the program’s objectives and prepare beneficiaries for the journey ahead.

The FCMI Accelerator collaborates with the WFP Innovation Accelerator and CGIAR centers, including IITA and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). This program leverages expertise and resources to promote innovative solutions in fragile and conflict-affected (FCA) settings, with the overarching goal of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger. The initiative also supports SDG1 (No Poverty), SDG5 (Gender Equality), SDG13 (Climate Action), and SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

During the field visit, the team assessed the deployment and impact of Koolboks’ solar-powered refrigeration systems in Northeast Nigeria. This innovative technology, piloted in Adamawa and Borno states for the Northeast market, aims to improve food preservation and storage capacities in vulnerable communities. Targeting critical locations such as public abattoirs, markets, and restaurants in Jimeta and Yola, the intervention addresses longstanding challenges posed by unreliable electricity, economic constraints, and frequent power outages.

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