# FrostHub

Complete business detail · Exported 2026-10-18

Source: https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html

All sections and expandable notes are included. Figures retain their original observation dates. Financial figures are the published planning case, not a quotation or an interactive calculation saved by a visitor.

FrostHub · The idea and the plan

## Cold space.  *A route to the buyer.*

Book suitable cold space and a delivery route. Pay for the capacity and services used.

Proposed venture · evidence dates shown with sources

![Future port-linked cold-network concept · the first test rents existing food-cooling capacity.](https://gambia.lawall.studio/assets/frost-port-vision-v22.webp)

Future port-linked cold-network concept · the first test rents existing food-cooling capacity.

01 / The customer  **Produce traders + growers first**

02 / What they buy  **Cold capacity + time + delivery**

03 / The first proof

20 positions · 14 days

Rent existing food-cooling capacity. Test one compatible crop.

[**$2,444**  Proposed test cash · see the scope](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#first-test)

01 / Overview · evidence retains its observation date

The first move

Rent suitable cold space. Test one crop and one route before buying a hub.

01

Book

Product + capacity + time

02

Receive

Weigh, identify, inspect

03

Protect

Record conditions + custody

04

Deliver

Compatible loads + time slots

Three numbers to understand

Public evidence

6 sites

#### Cold stores in ROOTS report

May 2026 field status varied; verify present commissioning and access.

[IFAD · ROOTS supervision report](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#research-source-roots)

Proposed test / model

400 kg

#### Proposed static test capacity

20 positions × 20 kg each. Not daily cooling throughput; suitable layout and crop conditions must be checked.

Proposed test / model

4 runs

#### Proposed delivery test

Four separately costed runs within the 14-day trial. Vehicle and conditions must be quoted.

Cold space + a route to market

### The offer.  *In three parts.*

#### Book cold space

Pay for compatible capacity and storage time.

#### Add delivery

A separately priced route with clear custody.

#### Track every load

Bookings, temperatures, collection and payment.

Where we start

Start with produce traders and grower groups near a usable room. Existing cold stores can be partners as well as competitors.

The question that decides  **Do paid crate-days and separately priced routes cover their full costs?**

Fish, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals and port-export freight require separately designed, qualified chains.

**Service scope + market calculation**

#### Storage

One product-compatible zone, intake rules, identity/weight record, temperature monitoring and clear custody/liability. Static room capacity is not daily cooling throughput.

#### Cold delivery

Price the full route: vehicle, driver, fuel, preconditioning, dwell, empty return and cleaning. Validated insulated boxes can serve selected trips; they do not replace refrigeration on every route.

#### Connected booking

Start with a simple booking ledger and alerts. Assess Coldtivate for inventory and fees; add routing only after actual roads, compatible loads, capacity and delivery windows are known.

#### Count paid crate-days, then route contribution.

Occupied compatible positions × days × collected fee = storage sales. For routes, deduct the full run cost from collected delivery charges. Do not count a route’s crate fee twice as storage revenue. Size the owned hub from a seasonal calendar.

02 / Capacity + service customers · checked 16 Oct 2026

### Real operators.  *A service worth paying for.*

FrostHub buys or hires cold capacity and sells storage, handling and transport. The customer keeps ownership of the goods.

- 01  **Source capacity**  Room + vehicle operators

- 02  **FrostHub**  Book · monitor · coordinate

- 03  **Sell the service**  Growers · traders · importers

Named research leads, not agreed customers or suppliers. Product fit is our assessment; buying interest, capacity, price and approval are unverified.

[4 capacity / grower leads](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#supply-side)

[4 service-buyer leads](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#buy-side)

[6 goods groups + evidence](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#cold-goods)

Our recommended first conversations · no outreach completed

01

#### Find a working route.

Lamin + Joachim

GHE / NBFA: inspect the active vehicle, suitable room and recent runs; request a full written quote.

[View the lead](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-ghe)

02

#### Find a paying goods owner.

Lamin + Dominik

Ko-Arata: identify one costly produce delay or overflow and test paid demand. Existing delivery may already solve it.

[View the lead](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-koarata)

03

#### Price both services.

Dominik + Joachim

Separate storage and transport contribution. Investigate Lam’s / BBT import-export flows as later chains.

[View the lead](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-lams)

A

#### The supply side.

Transport and grower networks to qualify. Some already sell the service we propose.

****Transport supplier**  Gambia  **Gambia Horticultural Enterprises**  15-tonne refrigerated truck hire**

**Role to qualify** Transport supplier · potential competitor

**Public evidence** GHE advertises refrigerated trucks for hire throughout Gambia.

**Why investigate · our assessment** Quote an existing vehicle before purchasing one. A full-size truck may be too costly for the small trial.

**First question**

What is the minimum hire, all-in run cost and active vehicle availability for our exact crop and route?

**Who to ask**

Transport / fleet manager

**Still unknown**

Roadworthiness, payload at required duty, monitoring, cleaning, backup and actual prices.

[GHE · transport services](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-ghe)

****Farmer network**  North Bank · Gambia  **North Bank Farmers Association**  Fruit + vegetable transport**

**Role to qualify** Grower access + transport supplier / possible service buyer

**Public evidence** The association documents a 2025 ROOTS truck handover and offers refrigerated produce transport.

**Why investigate · our assessment** Combine grower bookings with a qualified existing route; investigate collection and return loads.

**First question**

Which recent produce runs had spare capacity or waiting goods, and who can approve a paid trial?

**Who to ask**

Logistics and Transport Coordinator

**Still unknown**

Current service status, hire rights, routes, loads, payment responsibility and usable capacity.

[North Bank Farmers Association · truck handover + service](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-nbfa)

****Transport supplier**  Gambia · regional haulage  **SMG Dry Port**  Powered reefer-container haulage**

**Role to qualify** Port transport supplier · potential competitor

**Public evidence** SMG advertises powered reefer haulage between ports, borders and customers.

**Why investigate · our assessment** A port-network partner to investigate after produce proof; not the transport assumed in the small trial.

**First question**

Which reefer lanes need off-port staging or overflow, and what do power, haulage and waiting time cost?

**Who to ask**

Reefer / inland-haulage operations

**Still unknown**

Current lanes, plug capacity, permits, availability, tariffs, power continuity and damage liability.

[SMG Dry Port · inland haulage](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-smg)

****Cold-capacity supplier**  Gambia  **EL MANSOUR**  Cold-chain transport + storage**

**Role to qualify** Capacity supplier · potential competitor

**Public evidence** Its cold-chain page offers reefer transport, storage and monitored delivery for food and pharmaceuticals.

**Why investigate · our assessment** Compare a qualified subcontract against owned equipment. Treat the website as a service claim.

**First question**

Can you provide an active vehicle, recent temperature logs and a product-specific written quote?

**Who to ask**

Cold-chain operations / commercial team

**Still unknown**

Actual assets, references, certificates and scope, availability, operating limits and pricing.

[EL MANSOUR · cold-chain transport](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-mansour)

B

#### Who could buy our service?

Goods owners with relevant activity. Their existing systems may already meet the need.

****Potential buyer**  Sohm · Kombo East  **Ko-Arata**  Fresh vegetables**

**Role to qualify** Potential produce-service customer

**Public evidence** The farm explicitly describes delivery of its own fresh produce by refrigerated van.

**Why investigate · our assessment** A small, concrete operator for testing collection timing or paid overflow; it already has a delivery solution.

**First question**

Where do rejected produce, delayed collections or van capacity create a cost you would pay to avoid?

**Who to ask**

Farm owner / delivery manager

**Still unknown**

Unmet need, weekly loads, seasonality, crop conditions and willingness to outsource.

[Ko-Arata · produce and refrigerated delivery](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-koarata)

****Potential buyer**  Gambia · regional seafood markets  **Lam’s Fishing Enterprise**  Fish + seafood**

**Role to qualify** Potential service buyer / logistics partner

**Public evidence** The company describes fish import/export and temperature-controlled logistics.

**Why investigate · our assessment** Investigate paid holding and port handover in a separate fish chain.

**First question**

Which fish flow needs extra holding or a reliable reefer handover, and who owns the goods and rejection risk?

**Who to ask**

Export / logistics manager

**Still unknown**

Fresh versus frozen flow, actual transport mode, volumes, approvals and service gap.

[Lam’s Fishing Enterprise · fish logistics](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-lams)   [Gambia Ports Authority · fisheries jetty](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-port)

****Potential buyer**  Gambia market · international trader  **Banyan Bay Trading**  Frozen meat · ice cream · butter**

**Role to qualify** Potential import-chain service buyer

**Public evidence** BBT names Gambia as a market and frozen/refrigerated food shipping as a focus.

**Why investigate · our assessment** Find the actual Gambian consignee and qualify port-to-store holding or delivery.

**First question**

Who receives your temperature-sensitive shipments in Gambia, and is third-party cold capacity needed?

**Who to ask**

West Africa / Gambia logistics and import team

**Still unknown**

Gambia-specific SKUs, consignee, arrival calendar, temperature duty and existing local contracts.

[Banyan Bay Trading · products and markets](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-banyan)

****Potential buyer**  Gambia · distribution  **Sasco Cash and Carry**  Frozen + chilled goods**

**Role to qualify** Potential overflow customer · possible competitor

**Public evidence** Sasco advertises frozen/chilled products and national distribution.

**Why investigate · our assessment** A reserve conversation on peak storage or small deliveries. Its own assets may already cover the need.

**First question**

Which chilled/frozen SKUs need external storage or delivery, and how are they transported today?

**Who to ask**

Procurement / warehouse and distribution manager

**Still unknown**

No refrigerated-delivery method, capacity gap, outsourcing budget or buying interest verified.

[Sasco · frozen/chilled portfolio and distribution](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-sasco)

Gambia · what the public evidence actually shows

#### What already moves cold?

A described operation is stronger than a catalogue or service offer. None of these sources establishes current spare capacity or demand for FrostHub.

Refrigerated van / truck described

#### Fresh fruit + vegetables

Ko-Arata names its van; NBFA documents a truck and produce service. Crop-specific conditions and actual recent runs still need checking.

[Ko-Arata · produce and refrigerated delivery](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-koarata)

[North Bank Farmers Association · truck handover + service](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-nbfa)

Cold logistics + port reefer handling described

#### Fish + seafood

Lam’s describes temperature-controlled fish logistics. GPA describes fish discharged into refrigerated containers at the main port; current shipment volumes are unknown.

[Lam’s Fishing Enterprise · fish logistics](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-lams)

[Gambia Ports Authority · fisheries jetty](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-port)

Current last-mile distribution report

#### Vaccines

The UN’s March 2026 Basse report describes carriers/cold boxes with vehicles and motorcycles. This is a dedicated public-health chain, not proof of refrigerated trucks or an open commercial contract.

[UN Gambia · vaccine distribution in Basse](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-vaccines)

Sea-reefer use described · older company post

#### Ice cream

Kuehne+Nagel links Polish ice cream in Gambia with sea-reefer logistics. The post is circa 2024; a current shipment, brand and consignee are not identified.

[Kuehne+Nagel · ice cream and Gambia](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-icecream)

Product-specific service offer

#### Frozen meat + poultry

EL MANSOUR explicitly offers transport for frozen poultry/meat. BBT ships frozen food and serves Gambia; the sources do not establish a current, named Gambia consignment.

[EL MANSOUR · cold-chain transport](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-mansour)

[Banyan Bay Trading · products and markets](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-banyan)

Portfolio + transport offer

#### Dairy / other chilled food

BBT lists butter and ice cream; EL MANSOUR lists dairy transport. Verify each Gambia SKU and labelled conditions. UHT milk and dry goods do not automatically require a cold chain.

[Banyan Bay Trading · products and markets](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-banyan)

[EL MANSOUR · cold-chain transport](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#trade-source-mansour)

One crop first. Dedicated chains later.

Specify temperature, humidity, ripeness, maximum dwell and segregation for the actual product. Fish, frozen food, produce and medicines are separate designs. Pharma needs its own qualified operator, authorisations and release process; a public immunisation programme is not a confirmed commercial customer.

**Competition · what customers already use**

#### Existing public / cooperative rooms

The market is not empty. Verify assets and operator agreements; a management/booking partnership may require less capital than an owned hub.

[IFAD · ROOTS supervision report](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#research-source-roots)

#### Traders’ own storage and delivery

Compare total handling cost, collection timing and reliability. Bigger businesses may prefer their own equipment; small loads may value shared capacity.

[Sasco · wholesale and delivery](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#research-source-sasco)

[Lam’s Fishing Enterprise · operator profile](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#research-source-lams)

#### Cooling platforms and PCM projects

Reuse suitable tools and learn from existing interventions. Technology is a delivery method; paid utilisation and product condition are the proof.

[BASE / Empa · Coldtivate](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#research-source-coldtivate)

[UNGM · Gambian cold-chain PCM contract](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#research-source-pcm)

**What we keep from the supplied concept  +**

The FrostHub concept contributes anchor-first demand, hub-and-route architecture, thermal storage, third-party operation and simple booking. Fixed 2027–2035 rollout dates, quoted-looking GMD tariffs, a “Coast” package return and assumed prepaid anchors remain unvalidated. Pharma does not start on a calendar date alone.

Source: FrostHub · Konzept 2.0, 5 October 2026, supplied by the owner. The German concept and its English summary describe historical internal planning. Later user decisions take precedence. No excluded business idea is restored.

Quality + growth

### Prove the essentials.  *Then repeat.*

**Technical, quality and expansion requirements**

**01  **First test: one crop, a 14-day operating window**  +**

Rent 20 crate positions, buy suitable crates/loggers and cost four delivery runs. This is up to 400 kg static capacity at 20 kg/position. Agree crop, ripeness, temperature and maximum dwell with a food specialist; the test window does not mean every crop can be held for 14 days. Customers keep title to their goods.

**02  **A modular network, built from demand**  +**

Audit room condition and usable layout before a rental or operating agreement. After paid proof, quote a removable module with tropical-duty refrigeration, drainage, backup, commissioning, spares and trained operators. Add a second node only if the combined route contribution and seasonal occupancy justify it.

**03  **Pharma is a separate qualified chain**  +**

Potential future clients are licensed importers and clinics with specific labelled storage requirements. Use dedicated storage/boxes, calibrated monitoring, excursion handling, documented release and a qualified responsible operator. Ask MCA for the actual licence/authorisation route; do not infer an exemption from an old guideline.

**04  **Port/export is a separate commercial case**  +**

Pre-cooling, pallet consolidation and temperature records may support an exporter. They do not by themselves authorise seafood exports, a bonded facility or customs handling. Price reefer availability, destination, booking cut-offs, dwell and rejected-shipment responsibility with qualified freight and regulatory partners.

Four conditions for moving forward · our decision criteria

01

#### Demand

A paid, crop-specific booking calendar; free interest is insufficient.

02

#### Conditions

Compatible intake, safe handling and a documented fault response.

03

#### Contribution

Storage and route fees separately cover their measured full costs.

04

#### Repeat

Quiet-season demand and qualified modular-capacity quotes.

03 / Our proposed start plan · not started

### Start with a clear plan.  *Build it together.*

The first proof

One crop. Paid cold space. A fully costed route.

Three trader conversations → suitable rented space → a 14-day operating test.

[Validation cash · proposed  **$2,444**  Budget + scope](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#first-test)

01–03 · Qualify + run the test  04 · Decide the next investment separately

01

Before reserving cold space  Coordinates · Lamin

#### Choose one crop and one route.

Establish who needs storage, when they need it and which existing room could safely serve them.

**Lamin**

Local access + operations

- Seek three trader/grower introductions through the local network.

- Record crop, volumes, collection times and busy/quiet weeks.

**Joachim**

Technical design + delivery

- Check crop compatibility with a food/refrigeration adviser.

- Assess whether a working room can cool incoming goods, not just hold them.

**Dominik**

Business + software

- Build a proposed 14-day booking calendar.

- Test a crate-day price and a separately priced delivery offer.

Bring to the next decision

- One crop-specific demand brief

- A candidate operating room

- Priced booking + route proposal

**Move forward when** Repeat demand, safe crop/room fit and workable access exist before test spending.

**Scope + specialist checks**

NACOFAG / the National Vegetable Growers Cooperative Association are possible introduction routes, not agreed partners. ROOTS construction progress does not prove that a room is commissioned or available.

The handover Lamin passes the customer and room shortlist to Joachim.

02

Before opening the 14-day window  Coordinates · Joachim

#### Agree the room, operator and four runs.

Quote 20 suitable positions, four delivery runs and the handling system as one bounded test.

**Lamin**

Local access + operations

- Obtain room, route, crate and operator offers.

- Agree host access, cleaning, custody and daily responsibility.

**Joachim**

Technical design + delivery

- Audit duty, warm-load cooling and backup with specialists.

- Approve monitoring, dwell limits and the stop-intake response.

**Dominik**

Business + software

- Agree booking, payment and liability terms.

- Prepare intake/route ledgers and approve the complete quoted cash budget.

Bring to the next decision

- Room + operator agreement

- Four priced runs

- Handling and temperature checklist

**Move forward when** Capacity, conditions, funding and responsibilities are agreed; unsafe or unsuitable space is rejected.

**Scope + specialist checks**

The proposed 400 kg is static capacity, not daily pull-down throughput. The $2,444 test cash remains an allowance. No owned room, truck, pharma qualification or export facility is included.

The handover Joachim hands the operating checklist to Lamin and the host operator.

03

14 days · one compatible crop  Coordinates · Lamin

#### Track every crate, day and collection.

Operate to the agreed conditions and record real use, losses, delivery costs and collected fees.

**Lamin**

Local access + operations

- Label intake, record weights/condition and reconcile custody daily.

- Coordinate four runs and track actual crate-days and collections.

**Joachim**

Technical design + delivery

- Review temperatures, incoming loads and excursions.

- Use the specialist response; stop intake when conditions are unsafe.

**Dominik**

Business + software

- Separate storage fees from delivery income and full route costs.

- Compare bookings with paid use, complaints and repeat demand.

Bring to the next decision

- Paid crate-day record

- Temperature + custody record

- Storage and route contribution

**Move forward when** Goods meet agreed conditions and custody/cash reconcile. Learn from losses before extending the test.

**Scope + specialist checks**

At the later model’s $0.65 fee, full test occupancy yields $182, below the $280 assumed room rent before other costs. Neither price is validated. Record this learning cost; a rented test does not prove an owned hub return.

The handover Lamin and Joachim pass the operating evidence to Dominik.

04

Next investment · Separate owned-module decision  Coordinates · Dominik

#### Fund capacity from proven bookings.

Compare continuing with a partner room against one owned modular hub, using seasonal demand and real route costs.

**Lamin**

Local access + operations

- Confirm repeat customers, seasonal volumes and a suitable site.

- Select/train operators and map the next demand cluster.

**Joachim**

Technical design + delivery

- Quote a removable cold module and power for measured duty.

- Define commissioning, servicing, spares and safe installation/removal.

**Dominik**

Business + software

- Rebuild full hub cash flow from quotes and seasonal bookings.

- Fund only justified capacity; plan routes from actual loads and travel times.

Bring to the next decision

- Partner-versus-owned comparison

- Quoted modular hub case

- A funded seasonal operating plan

**Move forward when** Owned-hub operating cash and capital recovery work across the season before purchase.

**Scope + specialist checks**

Pharmaceuticals, fish/frozen goods, port-export staging and further nodes need separate qualified designs and business cases. The first produce test does not qualify those chains.

Then Add the next module only when repeat demand justifies it.

**Preparation + shared working file**

#### Start with these three actions.

**Lamin**  Local access + operations

Request three produce-trader and working-room introductions.

**Joachim**  Technical design + delivery

Prepare a crop, room and handling suitability check.

**Dominik**  Business + software

Prepare the paid booking calendar and separate route-cost sheet.

One shared working file Booking calendar · intake/temperature log · route costs · fee ledger

Qualified help we must bring in

Refrigeration engineer, qualified electrical team and food-handling adviser. Dedicated pharma / port modules need separate qualified operators, validation and permissions.

At every decision

Continue. Adjust. Or stop.

Review the evidence together. Record the decision, the person responsible, the spending limit and the next review date. Dates follow access, quotes and approvals.

04 / The first test · checked 15 October 2026

### The first test.  *Clearly costed.*

14 days · 20 crate positions

#### Sell cold space before buying a hub.

Rent existing food-cooling capacity. Test one compatible crop.

**Full test scope  +**

Book 20 reusable crate positions for 14 days in an existing suitable cold room: up to 400 kg static capacity at 20 kg per crate, not 400 kg of new intake daily. Use one compatible produce group and four separately costed delivery runs. Customers retain ownership of their goods.

Cash to have available · USD

$2,444

Proposed budget, not a supplier quotation.

Test costs  **$1,350**  Consumed inputs + services

Reusable equipment  **$520**  Assets may remain after the test

20% contingency  **$374**  Provision on costs + equipment

Stock / deposits / buffer  **$200**  Cash tied up; not immediate expense

**Full item-by-item calculation · USD  +**

Rented cold-space positions: 280 × $1 = $280; Subcontracted delivery runs: 4 × $70 = $280; Local operator: 14 × $20 = $280; Refrigeration / handling review: $200; Customer pre-checks: 3 × $30 = $90; Labels + data: $50; Cleaning + consumables: $70; Provisional taxes / permissions: $100; Reusable food-grade crates: 20 × $15 = $300; USB-C temperature loggers: 2 × $110 = $220. Subtotal =  **$1,870** ; plus 20% contingency $374 =  **$2,244**  of test spending including the reserve. Add refundable room / operator deposit $200 =  **$2,444 cash required** . No customer receipts or assumed resale/refunds are deducted.

**Quantities, reference prices and quote gaps  +**

**Selected planning allowances · USD · quotes pending**

| Item + scope | Quantity × unit | Cash |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rented cold-space positions 20 positions × 14 days · $1/position-day is an unconfirmed procurement allowance, not a Gambian market tariff · test cost | 280 × $1 | $280 |
| Subcontracted delivery runs Quote the full vehicle, driver, fuel, empty return and required temperature control · test cost | 4 × $70 | $280 |
| Local operator Local allowance · written quote required · test cost | 14 × $20 | $280 |
| Refrigeration / handling review Paid specialist review, including suitability of monitoring/calibration · test cost | 1 × $200 | $200 |
| Customer pre-checks Local allowance · written quote required · test cost | 3 × $30 | $90 |
| Labels + data Local allowance · written quote required · test cost | 1 × $50 | $50 |
| Cleaning + consumables Local allowance · written quote required · test cost | 1 × $70 | $70 |
| Provisional taxes / permissions Allowance, not a statutory rate · test cost | 1 × $100 | $100 |
| Reusable food-grade crates Local allowance · written quote required · reusable asset | 20 × $15 | $300 |
| USB-C temperature loggers Manufacturer reference approximately $96/unit; local delivered/calibrated price must be confirmed · reusable asset | 2 × $110 | $220 |
| Refundable room / operator deposit Not an expense; written refund terms needed · liquidity / inventory | 1 × $200 | $200 |
| 20% contingency on $1,870 | 20% | $374 |
| Total cash required | Before receipts | $2,444 |

What this test can establish

Actual paid crate-days, temperature records, spoilage observations and route costs. Rented-room results test customer demand and handling; they do not establish the profit of a future owned solar hub.

Outside this budget / conditions

An owned cold room, solar installation, truck, ice line, frozen products, pharmaceutical qualification, port concession and export infrastructure. Product temperatures and ripeness must be approved for the selected crop; never combine incompatible goods.

Planning allowances, not local quotes. Includes a 20% reserve; excludes founder pay and travel. No sales receipts are deducted.

**Budget basis, exclusions + next-stage funding**

All local prices, specialist day rates and the 20% reserve are proposed allowances until written offers replace them. Relevant overseas references appear in  [Sources](https://gambia.lawall.studio/frosthub-plan.html#sources) ; they are not Gambian landed quotes. Provisional tax/permission amounts are not legal rates. Founders’ time is unpaid in this test; founders’ pay and travel are excluded. Add them before approval if needed. There is no supplier commitment or booking yet. No paid goods are released without the applicable qualified checks.

The later deployment case below has a different scale and scope. Do not add both budgets mechanically: reconcile test spending and reusable assets already included in launch lines before funding the next stage.

Read the test correctly · calculated from the stated assumptions

#### Storage fees alone do not cover this rented trial.

20 positions × 14 days × $0.65 = $182, versus $280 assumed room rent before other costs. The fee and rent are unvalidated allowances.

**Calculation + what the test can prove**

Even 20 positions occupied for all 14 days generate only $182 in storage fees at the later model’s $0.65/crate-day assumption, versus $280 provisional room rent before handling or delivery. That fee is not a validated test tariff. Negotiate procurement and test willingness to pay; record the learning cost separately. The $2,444 is upfront cash, with no hoped-for sales deducted. A rented-room trial cannot prove an owned solar hub’s return.

**What the later investment model includes**

Illustrative 150-crate hub, up to 20 kg per crate, roughly 3 tonnes static capacity. Product compatibility, usable layout and daily warm-load pull-down need separate design. Start with one compatible produce group; no mixed fish/produce/pharma room.

05 / The later investment case

### The numbers.  *With the assumptions visible.*

Our first recommendation

Paid occupancy is the engine. Measure compatible demand across busy and quiet weeks; price delivery separately.

**How this business earns**

Paid volume  **×**  Collected price  **−**  Full operating costs  **=**  **Cash to fund the business**

Planning cases below are  **team assumptions** , not verified Gambian offers or customer prices. Reference facts and their limits appear in the source cards.

Downside

-$134

Cash after operation + reserve
per month · before tax

**Average paid occupancy**

40 %

**Collected storage fee**

0.45 USD / crate-day

Planning case

$996

Cash after operation + reserve
per month · before tax

**All inputs**

As listed below

Stronger case

$1,763

Cash after operation + reserve
per month · before tax

**Average paid occupancy**

85 %

**Collected storage fee**

0.75 USD / crate-day

One illustrative operating month, not a full seasonal forecast. Do not multiply peak-month results by twelve. Figures are USD, before income tax and founders’ pay/travel; debt defaults to zero. Negative scenarios are intentionally retained.

Separate scale · later deployment / launch

#### Deployment is only part of the cash needed.

$61,000 Selected planning case

Deployment $40–70k + liquidity $4–8k = $44–78k. No owned refrigerated truck or pharmaceutical qualification is included.

Deployment / launch  **$55,000**

Liquidity  **$6,000**

**See every budget line  +**

**Team allowances · USD · not quotations**

| Scope | Allowance range | Selected case |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Insulated room + suitable refrigeration Team allowance · exact duty / pull-down to quote | $12,000–$20,000 | $16,000 |
| Solar, storage + controls Team allowance · thermal design first | $12,000–$20,000 | $16,000 |
| Site, drainage + installation Local scope to quote | $4,000–$8,000 | $6,000 |
| Crates, sensors, booking + handling kit No custom software platform build assumed | $3,000–$6,000 | $4,500 |
| Freight, clearance + provisional taxes Product-code / route-specific quote | $4,000–$8,000 | $6,000 |
| Design, commissioning + contingency Includes first validation work | $5,000–$8,000 | $6,500 |
| Deployment / launch total | $40,000–$70,000 | $55,000 |
| Operating, collection and subcontract buffer | $4,000–$8,000 | $6,000 |
| Combined funding | $44,000–$78,000 | $61,000 |

**Outside the scope:**  Owned truck, ice-making line, frozen storage, port concession, customs-bonded facility, pharma qualification, land purchase and founders’ travel/pay. Each expansion has a separate budget.

Freight and provisional non-recoverable tax/clearance costs are inside the stated allowances where listed. Actual duty, VAT treatment, permits and charges still need a broker/accountant assessment. No tax exemption is assumed. Recoverable VAT, if any, can create an additional timing gap.

**Full calculation + editable assumptions**

The selected case · change any input

#### See what has to work.

150 spaces × 30 days × 70% occupied × $0.65 per crate-day.

Sales income / month  **$2,048**

Operating costs + reserve  **$1,052**

Cash before tax / month  **$996**

Positive operating cash does not prove an investable return.

Variable handling + energy  **$252**

Fixed operation  **$650**

Replacement reserve  **$150**

Debt payment  **$0**

Operating cash break-even

31.189% occupancy

Includes operation, reserve and the financing input. Does not recover the initial deployment.

Occupancy for the capital target · %

64.683% occupancy

Unlevered illustration: deployment recovered over the input horizon at the input hurdle, after operation and replacement reserve. Working capital is separate. This is not a loan quote or promised return.

**Edit the assumptions  +**

Sellable crate spaces  20 kg-equivalent crates  **150**  Static storage positions, not daily new throughput.

Operating days  days / month  **30**  Use a seasonal calendar before annualising.

Average paid occupancy  %  **70**  70% is an unconfirmed demand assumption.

Collected storage fee  USD / crate-day  **0.65**  The $0.65 case is a pricing test, not a Gambian market tariff.

Variable handling + energy  USD / occupied crate-day  **0.08**  Allowance $0.08; include grid/fuel if required.

Fixed operation  USD / month  **650**  Allowance: $300 team, $150 site/security, $100 monitoring/admin, $100 maintenance/hygiene.

Replacement reserve  USD / month  **150**  Allowance for refrigeration, energy-system and crate replacement.

One-time deployment / launch spend  USD  **55000**  Selected planning allowance, not an installed quotation.

Working capital + cash buffer  USD  **6000**  Separate from equipment and launch spending.

Debt / financing payment  USD / period  **0**  Zero means an unlevered model, not free financing.

Capital-recovery horizon  years  **8**  An internal target, not a loan term.

Capital hurdle  % / year  **10**  Illustrative 10% target, not a bank rate.

Changes stay in this page only. They are not uploaded or saved. Reset restores the selected case; the three scenario cards above remain the published comparisons. Editing investment/working capital changes the calculator, not the published budget allowances.

Selected funding inputs: $61,000. Output: 3,150 occupied crate-days per month.

**How to interpret and stress-test the result**

#### What the result means.

Only storage is modelled. The occupancy target must be met with compatible products and collected fees, not nominal tonnage. Daily intake cooling may constrain throughput well before the room looks full. The capital target includes a provision for asset recovery as well as operation and reserve.

Stress the case

First test: map daily crate-days over both busy and quiet weeks. Price a route only after vehicle, driver, fuel, empty return and temperature-control costs are known.

Watch the cash timing

Use prepaid bookings where customers accept them; reconcile intake, days and collections daily. Hold an operating buffer for quiet weeks and repairs. Do not multiply a high-season month by twelve.

06 / Evidence register · dated references

### Facts with context.  *Assumptions you can replace.*

Sources retain their observation dates. Test allowances: 15 Oct 2026. Named counterparties and cold-chain evidence: 16 Oct. No customer, supplier, financing or partnership agreement is implied.

**Market + operating sources · 9 references**

**Market / operating evidence  **IFAD · ROOTS supervision report** 14 Aug 2026 document · May 2026 field mission**

Reports uneven progress at six cold-store sites and operational/business-planning gaps in processing investments. The field observations are not October commissioning evidence.

[Read the original source](https://www.ifad.org/en/w/corporate-documents/projects-programmes/gambia-the-2000001065-roots-supervision-report-august-2026)

**Market / operating evidence  **UNGM · Gambian cold-chain PCM contract** Award dated 19 Mar 2026**

Records a phase-change-material cold-chain intervention in The Gambia. An award establishes neither completed deployment nor capacity available to FrostHub.

[Read the original source](https://www.ungm.org/Public/ContractAward/155212)

**Market / operating evidence  **BASE / Empa · Coldtivate** Project team · checked 15 Oct 2026**

Open-source cooling-service software includes inventory, occupancy and storage-fee management. Evaluate it before commissioning a custom platform; integration and support are still work.

[Read the original source](https://yourvcca.org/coldtivate/)

**Market / operating evidence  **MCA · storage and distribution guideline** MCA-GL-301 · 13 Dec 2017 · still linked**

Medicines need manufacturer-specified conditions, monitoring, records and calibrated equipment. Confirm the current regulatory route with MCA; no transport-licence exemption is asserted.

[Read the original source](https://www.mca.gm/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Guideline-for-Storage-and-Distribution-of-Medicines-and-Related-Products.pdf)

**Market / operating evidence  **Gambia Ports Authority · fisheries jetty** Authority facility description · checked 15 Oct 2026**

Describes the fisheries jetty and space intended for service/processing facilities. This is not an available concession, export approval or guaranteed reefer service.

[Read the original source](https://gambiaports.gm/gambia-fisheries-jetty/)

**Market / operating evidence  **Lam’s Fishing Enterprise · operator profile** Operator page · checked 15 Oct 2026**

Describes seafood import/export and temperature-controlled logistics. Certification, present capacity and procurement needs have not been independently verified.

[Read the original source](https://lamsfishing.com/)

**Market / operating evidence  **Sasco · wholesale and delivery** Operator search content · 15 Oct 2026; direct fetch failed**

Advertises FMCG, frozen/chilled products and nationwide distribution. A discovery lead and competitor reference, not evidence that it needs our storage or offers particular wholesale prices.

[Read the original source](https://sasco.gm/)

**Market / operating evidence  **European Commission · authorised establishments** Official framework · checked 15 Oct 2026**

Animal-origin exports need the applicable country, establishment and shipment compliance. A generic cold-store design is not an EU-approved seafood export facility.

[Read the original source](https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety/biological-safety/food-hygiene/non-eu-countries-authorised-establishments_en)

**Market / operating evidence  **FSQA · startup food-business guideline** 2019 guideline · official page checked 15 Oct 2026**

Provides a food-business startup/registration route. Confirm applicable site, handling, water, processing and inspection requirements with FSQA before operations.

[Read the original source](https://fsqa.gm/download/fsqa-gl-8-2019-guideline-for-startup-food-and-feed-business/)

**Cold-chain operators + goods · 11 source references**

Checked 16 October 2026. Dates distinguish current retrieval from publication. Company claims are not site audits or purchase commitments. No company has been contacted. Roles are suggested enquiry routes, not introductions.

**Counterparty / goods evidence  **GHE · transport services** Undated · checked 16 Oct 2026**

Operator advertises 15-tonne refrigerated trucks for hire. Fleet range is not a refrigerated-fleet count or evidence of a particular shipment.

[Read the original source](https://gamhort.com/our-services/)

**Counterparty / goods evidence  **North Bank Farmers Association · truck handover + service** 2025 handover · checked 16 Oct 2026**

Association documents a ROOTS-funded refrigerated truck and offers produce transport. Current roadworthiness, availability and rental terms require confirmation.

[Read the original source](https://northbankfarmersingambia.com/gallery)

**Counterparty / goods evidence  **SMG Dry Port · inland haulage** Undated · checked 16 Oct 2026**

Operator offers powered reefer-container transport. Its total truck count does not establish the number of refrigerated vehicles.

[Read the original source](https://www.smglogisticsco.com/services/transport-and-inland-haulage)

**Counterparty / goods evidence  **EL MANSOUR · cold-chain transport** Undated · checked 16 Oct 2026**

Self-described product coverage and transport offer. No independent shipment, temperature or certification audit; generic temperature tables are not product specifications.

[Read the original source](https://www.elmansour.gm/cold-chain)

**Counterparty / goods evidence  **Ko-Arata · produce and refrigerated delivery** Undated · checked 16 Oct 2026**

Operator describes its own produce delivery by refrigerated van; no tour records or spare capacity verified.

[Read the original source](https://www.ko-arata.com/)

**Counterparty / goods evidence  **Lam’s Fishing Enterprise · fish logistics** Undated · checked 16 Oct 2026**

Operator describes temperature-controlled fish logistics. No vehicle type, current volumes, shipment records or certificate scope independently verified.

[Read the original source](https://lamsfishing.com/)

**Counterparty / goods evidence  **Gambia Ports Authority · fisheries jetty** Undated · checked 16 Oct 2026**

Official search-index text describes fish discharged into refrigerated containers at the main port. Direct page retrieval failed; no current volumes or named shipments supplied.

[Read the original source](https://gambiaports.gm/gambia-fisheries-jetty/)

**Counterparty / goods evidence  **Banyan Bay Trading · products and markets** Undated · checked 16 Oct 2026**

Names Gambia as a market and frozen/chilled food shipping as a focus. Does not assign each SKU to Gambia or establish its local delivery method.

[Read the original source](https://banyanbaytrading.com/about/)

**Counterparty / goods evidence  **Sasco · frozen/chilled portfolio and distribution** Undated · checked 16 Oct 2026**

Own-site search-index content describes frozen/chilled products and national distribution; it does not prove refrigerated road delivery.

[Read the original source](https://sasco.gm/)

**Counterparty / goods evidence  **UN Gambia · vaccine distribution in Basse** 18 Mar 2026 · checked 16 Oct 2026**

Current programme report describes vaccine carriers/cold boxes with vehicles and motorcycles. It does not call those vehicles refrigerated trucks.

[Read the original source](https://gambia.un.org/en/313899-chain-cannot-break-keeping-children-basse-safe-disease)

**Counterparty / goods evidence  **Kuehne+Nagel · ice cream and Gambia** Company post · circa 2024 · checked 16 Oct 2026**

Company describes Polish ice cream in Gambia and sea-reefer logistics. Exact shipment date, brand and importer are not identified; not proof of a current contract.

[Read the original source](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kuehne-nagel_poland-reefer-sealogistics-activity-7227206950155911168-mFO5)

The supplied concept contributes planning ideas; it is not independent market verification. Public programmes and investments are not funding commitments to us. No grant, subsidy, customer prepayment, credit facility or certification is included unless the financial scope explicitly says so.

**Cost + finance sources · 7 references**

**Historical operating reference  **ColdHubs / BASE · operating case** Nigeria · historical 2015–2019 case, rehosted July 2025**

The case describes 150 × 20 kg crates and daily per-crate charging. Its historical US$0.50 equivalent is not a current Nigerian or Gambian tariff. It supports the capacity/time model, not our assumed fee or cost.

[Read the original source](https://coldhubs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/BASE-CaaS-ColdHubs-Publication.pdf)

**Partial equipment reference  **Inacio · basic cold room listing** South Africa · public listing checked 14 Oct 2026**

Advertised R60,000, roughly $3,636 at the dated indicative cross-rate. A basic listing with insufficient design scope for our hub. Solar, tropical duty, usable capacity, freight, taxes and installed service scope are not established; it is not a turnkey FrostHub quote.

[Read the original source](https://inaciosrefrigeration.co.za/product/cold-room/)

**Technical scope  **SelfChill · modular cold room** Manufacturer · current product page**

Shows modular solar cooling designed for selected products and conditions. Obtain a site-specific duty and installation quote; no public price is transferred into this model.

[Read the original source](https://selfchill.org/products/selfchill-cold-room/)

**First-test equipment benchmark  **Testo · USB-C temperature logger** 15 Oct 2026 · manufacturer / UAE**

Listed at AED 351, approximately $96 at the dated CBG cross-rate, before any extra delivery/import cost. ISO calibration is extra. The $110 local procurement allowance is unconfirmed; confirm calibration, availability and landed cost. This component does not qualify a cold chain.

[Read the original source](https://www.testo.com/en-AE/testo-174-t/p/0572-1740-01)

**Dated FX reference  **CBG · first-test currency conversion** 15 Oct 2026 · daily valuation**

GMD per currency unit: USD 73.22; GBP 96.94; AED 19.94; EUR 83.67. Rounded USD cross-rates are used only for the new first-test references. Valuation is not a bank dealing rate. Earlier investment references retain their original dated conversions.

[Read the original source](https://www.cbg.gm/)

**FX reference  **CBG · daily valuation** 15 Oct 2026 · The Gambia**

The CBG homepage displayed GMD 73.22/USD, 83.67/EUR and 4.40/ZAR. Indicative cross-rates: USD 1.143/EUR and USD 0.06009/ZAR. Valuation rates are not dealing rates. Earlier equipment-reference conversions retain their original observation date; no planning allowance is a binding offer.

[Read the original source](https://www.cbg.gm/daily-valuation-exchange-rate)

**Local confirmation  **Gambia Revenue Authority · tax and customs** Current official document portal**

Obtain a product-code-specific landed-cost and tax assessment. No import-duty exemption, recoverable VAT or investment incentive is assumed. Tax and clearance allowances below are provisional amounts, not statutory rates.

[Read the original source](https://www.gra.gm/downloads)

#### Before an investment decision

Replace the allowances with complete local/landed quotes, the sales inputs with customer or buyer evidence, and the operating inputs with a measured pilot. Add taxes, founder costs, month-by-month seasonality, exchange exposure and financing terms to the full cash-flow forecast. These transparent pre-feasibility cases are the starting point for that work.

FrostHub
 *Prove one. Build from what works.*