At a Glance
- Sahel Capital takes minority stake in Delifrost to expand Nigeria’s cold-chain food distribution network.
- Investment marks first deployment from Sahel Capital Agribusiness Fund II focused on West Africa.
- Deal targets food security, reduced spoilage and efficient agribusiness value chains across Nigeria.
Sahel Capital, a Lagos-based private investment firm focused on sub-Saharan African food and agriculture, has invested in Nigerian cold-chain distribution company Delifrost Caterers, marking the first deployment from its newly launched Agribusiness Fund II and underscoring rising investor interest in food logistics infrastructure across West Africa.
The investment, following Sahel Capital’s recent $29 million raise toward a $75 million target, takes the form of a significant minority stake and will support Delifrost’s nationwide expansion of chilled and packaged food distribution, as gaps in Nigeria’s cold-chain network continue to drive post-harvest losses and food inflation.
Sahel Capital Agribusiness Fund II begins deployment
The Agribusiness Fund II, which follows Sahel Capital’s Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria, is structured as a blended finance vehicle that includes a first-loss tranche designed to de-risk investments and attract commercial capital.
The fund is dual-domiciled in Mauritius and Nigeria, allowing for regional flexibility and closer alignment with local market conditions.
Sahel Capital stated that the fund targets growth equity investments across the agribusiness value chain in West Africa, with priority markets including Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal.
Its strategy focuses on improving food security, strengthening climate resilience, supporting import substitution and enhancing value-chain efficiency.
Why cold-chain infrastructure matters for Nigeria’s food system
For Delifrost, the investment comes as demand grows for reliable cold-chain solutions among retailers, food service providers and manufacturers seeking consistent quality and reduced spoilage.
The company specializes in the distribution of chilled and packaged food products, a segment viewed as increasingly critical to modernizing Nigeria’s food supply system.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sahel Capital as a strategic partner,” said Delifrost Managing Director Nadim Beydoun. He said the investment would strengthen governance, improve institutional capacity and support the company’s next phase of expansion.
Delifrost expansion targets retailers and food service providers
Beydoun added that Sahel Capital’s sector expertise and long-term, impact-driven approach align with Delifrost’s plans to scale environmentally sustainable cold-chain infrastructure, including the use of renewable energy technologies.
The deal reflects growing investor interest in agribusiness platforms that combine commercial returns with measurable social and economic impact, as West Africa grapples with food inflation, climate risks and persistent supply-chain inefficiencies.
