Five New EGA Retail Stores Launched in Zambia
Ener-G-Africa (EGA) is excited to announce that we have opened five retail stores in Lusaka, Zambia, ensuring our extensive range of energy saving products are more accessible to consumers and small businesses in Zambia.
“Zambia’s heavy reliance on charcoal and firewood for cooking has led to significant environmental degradation, health risks, and rising household energy costs. This created a strong demand for cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable cooking solutions,” says Richard Bunderson, EGA’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Simultaneously, frequent and prolonged load shedding has intensified the need for reliable alternative energy sources, increasing demand for clean cookstoves and solar products.”
Our decision to establish five retail stores in Zambia – with a total of 20 planned within the next two to three years was driven by a comprehensive evaluation of market demand, business feasibility, expansion opportunities, and strategic collaborations.
“Building on successful pilot models in Malawi and Mozambique, where community-based retail stores achieved financial sustainability within six months, EGA identified Zambia as a viable market for expansion,” Richard says. “Our aim is to provide Zambian consumers with cost-effective, sustainable and accessible energy solutions.”
Securing supply and boosting local investment
EGA’s South African and Malawian manufacturing hubs supply products designed and built for African markets, meeting local needs, boosting the regional economy, and ensuring security of supply.
The South African hub houses two factories. The recently opened state-of-the-art solar line produces TÜV certified solar panels (ranging from 20W to 550W). The second factory is dedicated to manufacturing advanced biomass stoves and efficient cookware designed to meet the diverse energy needs across the African continent.
“Local manufacturing ensures greater control over product quality and supply chains, making our South African exports more competitive in international markets,” Richard says.
More to come
“Our plans for future investment into Zambia include two pellet mills to service the 40,000 pellet stoves we are targeting to sell in the region. This model will create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Stove sales will drive continuous demand for biomass fuels, while solar products provide reliable electricity alternatives for households and businesses,” says Richard.
Contingent on the performance and sustainability of the initial five stores, EGA will embark on a phased expansion, scaling up operations in high-demand peri-urban and rural locations, where access to clean cooking solutions and reliable solar energy products remains limited.
“By identifying areas with significant energy gaps, we aim to ensure our products reach the communities that need them the most,” says Richard. “Strengthening distribution networks for biomass fuel supply will be a key priority to support the growing adoption of clean cookstoves.”
Community engagement includes newly launched awareness campaigns, product demonstrations, and training sessions to educate communities on the benefits of clean cookstoves, biomass fuels, and solar energy solutions.
“Through collaborations with local community leaders, community influencers, ward councillors, church leaders, and NGOs (including the Centre for Climate Change Action and Advocacy, Agents of Change, Young Emerging Farmers) and government agencies, EGA is working to ensure that customers not only understand the economic and environmental advantages of switching to cleaner energy sources, but also receive hands-on guidance on proper product usage and maintenance,” says Richard.
Product range
EGA Zambia stores will stock clean cooking solutions, including the MAFECS Kit designed for high efficiency and comes with a 6-litre eCOpot, pot rest and charcoal and pellet inserts. A variety of SiZL Elegance cookware and eCOpots is available in sizes ranging from 2 to 60 litres, catering for all cooking needs.
“Additionally, the stores offer stainless steel SiZL plates and bowls, ensuring that customers have access to high-quality, durable cookware to complement their energy-efficient stoves,” says Richard. “To support off-grid and renewable energy solutions, we offer solar panels to suit a variety of needs, including 20W, 45W and 360W panels, making solar power accessible for both household and commercial applications. Customers can also purchase LED solar lights, power banks and a 12V 200Ah Lead Acid Solar Battery, ensuring continuous energy supply, even during load shedding. Solar inverters are also available (1.2KVA) to help convert solar power into usable electricity.”
EGA will expand the solar range to include larger panels, inverters and batteries.
“We will provide warranties and dedicated customer support to assist buyers with product maintenance, troubleshooting and guidance” says Richard.
“Our Kalingalinga store, will offer technical training and service support, whilst all other stores offer spare parts and accessories,” say Richard “We have partnered with local technicians to facilitate repair services where needed.”
For more news on store launches, product development and industry developments, visit the EGA news page.
