The Cost of Building a Cold Room in the Africa: Complete Pricing Guide (2025)

Building a cold room in the Africa involves several technical, material, and installation factors that ultimately determine the final cost. Whether you are opening a restaurant, supermarket, warehouse, or industrial facility, knowing the cost structure helps you budget accurately and avoid unexpected expenses.

This guide covers everything you need to know about cold room pricing in Nigeria, and other Africa regions, including insulation, cooling units, electrical work, and installation charges.

Factors That Affect Cold Room Cost in the Africa

1. Cold Room Size & Dimensions

Room size significantly impacts the cost. Larger spaces require more insulation panels, more powerful condensing units, and higher installation labor.

Typical Africa's price ranges:

• Small Cold Rooms (2 × 2 × 2.4 m)
  USD 2,500 – USD 4,500
  Ideal for small businesses, pharmacies, restaurants, and retail storage.

• Medium Cold Rooms (3 × 3 × 2.4 m)
  USD 4,200 – USD 7,800
  Suitable for supermarkets, food processing units, and medium-scale storage needs.

• Large & Custom-Built Cold Rooms
  USD 8,500 – USD 50,000+
  Designed for industrial use, warehouses, agriculture, and export-oriented cold storage facilities.

2. Type of Cold Room: Chiller vs. Freezer

• Chiller Rooms (0°C to +10°C)
  Lower capacity compressors → lower cost.

• Freezer Rooms (-18°C to -25°C)
  Requires thicker insulation (100–150mm) and heavy-duty refrigeration → higher cost (approx. 20–40% more).

3. Insulation Panel Thickness

Africa's standard insulation options:

• 60mm / 80mm → For chillers

• 100mm / 120mm / 150mm → For freezers

Thicker panels = higher cost but better efficiency.

4. Refrigeration Unit Capacity

This includes the condenser, evaporator, and controller. Reliable brands cost more but offer longer life and energy savings.

Common UAE brands: Emerson, Danfoss, Tecumseh, Bitzer.

5. Installation & Labor Charges

Installation costs in Africa vary based on technical complexity, location, and safety requirements. Skilled cold room technicians typically charge less than UAE rates, while still meeting international installation standards.

A typical cold room installation in Africa ranges from:
USD 300 – USD 1,200, depending on project size, site conditions, and system complexity.

Hidden Costs You Should Know

• Electrical rewiring

• Floor insulation

• Drain line work

• Additional shelving

• Temperature monitoring systems

• Backup power integration

These can add AED 1,000 – AED 9,000 depending on scope.

Final Cost Summary

A full cold room setup in Africa generally costs:

• Chiller Cold Rooms:
  USD 3,300 – USD 11,000
  Ideal for fruits, vegetables, dairy, and short-term food storage.

• Freezer Cold Rooms:
  USD 5,500 – USD 22,000
  Designed for meat, seafood, frozen foods, and pharmaceutical storage.

• Large & Custom Cold Storage Solutions:
  USD 13,500 – USD 50,000+
  Suitable for industrial facilities, cold storage warehouses, agriculture, and export operations.

Conclusion

Cold room pricing in the Africa's depends mainly on size, temperature requirements, insulation, and the brand of refrigeration equipment. Investing in quality materials ensures long-term savings and reliable performance in the Africa's extreme climate.