Rising Temperatures Impact Africa’s Workforce, Affordable Cooling Solutions in Demand
Extreme heat is increasingly threatening productivity across Africa, particularly for workers in the informal economy. A report from the Shell Foundation highlights that simple, electricity-free cooling technologies could mitigate these losses in countries like Nigeria and Ghana. However, making these technologies affordable poses a significant challenge.
As temperatures rise, millions of workers face economic hardship. For example, farmers are losing valuable hours in the fields, street vendors experience spoilage of their goods, and delivery riders find it hard to sustain their earnings during the hottest parts of the day. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 2.4 billion workers globally are exposed to excessive heat, with an estimated 93% of Africa’s workforce affected. By 2030, heat stress is projected to cost the global economy approximately $2.4 trillion in lost productivity, equating to 80 million full-time jobs.
Informal workers, who typically lack paid leave or financial safety nets, are particularly vulnerable, as every hour of work missed can mean lost income. Cooling solutions may help improve their circumstances. Currently, much of the cooling market focuses on indoor environments, yet outdoor workers, such as those in agriculture and transport, need viable options for open-air settings.
Passive cooling technologies present potential solutions. For instance, reflective materials can shield market stalls and perishable goods from heat, while evaporative garments help workers stay comfortable without electricity. Implementing these solutions could decrease losses and extend working hours for traders, farmers, and construction workers, especially benefiting women-led enterprises dealing with food and agricultural products.
The Shell Foundation’s report, The Cooling Dividend, discusses the Scaling Passive and Affordable Cooling for Economic Resilience and Sustainability (SPACES) program, which has tested electricity-free cooling technologies with nearly 12,000 workers and micro-entrepreneurs across Nigeria, Ghana, and India. Supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partners like Trane Technologies, Intellecap and Ndarama Works, the initiative seeks to determine whether reducing heat exposure can also protect workers’ earnings.
Preliminary results indicate positive effects on incomes. Delivery riders using evaporative cooling jackets reported an increase in deliveries by 15% to 25%, while other workers regained one to three lost hours due to heat stress. In Nigeria, the deployment of reflective cooling umbrellas resulted in a significant rise in traders working throughout the day, from 41% to 93%, with participants reporting no heat-related spoilage during the pilot.
Despite the potential benefits, affordability remains a barrier. A cooling-canvas umbrella, designed to protect market traders and their goods, is priced around $3,000 when imported, a cost that many cannot bear. During the SPACES initiative’s first year, cooling equipment was distributed free to participants, allowing them to experience the benefits without the financial burden. The next step involves creating a commercially viable model for these technologies.
The cooling market in developing regions is estimated to reach $600 billion annually by 2050, with considerable growth anticipated in Africa and South Asia. However, reaching informal workers will require innovative approaches compared to traditional sales methods for cooling equipment.
Efforts to produce cooling equipment locally could reduce costs, while building demand through cooperative models could allow larger-scale orders. Financing options that distribute costs over time might also enhance accessibility for workers.
Shell Foundation and its partners are now working to expand on the SPACES program’s initial findings, aiming to reach 1.5 million customers within five years. Achieving this target will hinge on lowering production costs and developing effective distribution models to make cooling solutions affordable for vulnerable workers and small businesses as temperatures continue to rise.
