Faith Driven Entrepreneur Episode 352 - He Solved Africa’s $1 Trillion Food Waste Crisis Using Orange Peels and Faith | Jean-Paul Nageri
Nov 18, 2025
Jean-Paul Nageri, co-founder of KaFresh and an agricultural entrepreneur, transformed the issue of post-harvest food loss in Africa using plant-based preservation technology. He shares how witnessing his father's ruined banana harvest inspired him to innovate. The discussion reveals how cold storage isn't viable for small farmers and explores the use of orange peel oils to extend produce shelf life significantly. Jean-Paul emphasizes the $1 trillion waste problem, the health benefits of natural preservatives, and the divine inspiration driving his mission.
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Farm Loss Sparked A Biotech Breakthrough
- Jean-Paul watched his father's bananas ripen and rot when traders delayed their purchases, which sparked his mission to stop post-harvest loss.
- He developed a powdered plant-oil coating and extended his dad's bananas from days to two weeks, launching KaFresh.
Food Waste Is A Trillion-Dollar Leak
- Sub-Saharan Africa loses roughly 37% of food to post-harvest spoilage, costing about $1 trillion globally.
- Reducing spoilage even partially can unlock enormous economic and food-security gains.
Nature's Preservation Clues
- Oranges naturally resist spoilage due to oily glycerides in their peels that form a protective shield.
- Extracting and applying these natural oils can transfer preservation benefits to other produce.