South African clean cooking and solar energy company Ener-G-Africa (EGA) has announced that it has expanded into Zambia, with the opening of five community-based retail outlets in that country. This was intended to be only the first step in entering the Zambian market, with the company intending to open another 15 such stores over the next two to three years.

“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,” explained EGA COO Richard Bunderson. “Our aim is to provide Zambian consumers with cost-effective, sustainable and accessible energy solutions.”

Zambians are heavily reliant on charcoal and firewood for cooking. This causes health problems as well as environmental degradation, while the prices for these fuels are increasing. Further, frequent and extended power cuts have created a need for alternative and reliable sources of energy.

EGA can provide both clean cooking products and solar energy panels, both product lines being manufactured in-house. “Local manufacturing ensures greater control over product quality and supply chains, making our South African exports more competitive in international markets,” he affirmed.

Regarding clean cooking, the company produces its advanced biomass-fuelled MAFECS solution, which can be fuelled with either charcoal or pellets, as well as its eCOpot range of pots (which vary in capacity from 2 l to 60 l) and SiZL Elegance range of plates and bowls. (MAFECS stands for Multi Application Fuel Efficient Cook Stove, and each MAFECS kit includes a 6 l eCOpot, a pot rest, and both charcoal and pellet fuel insert trays.) EGA makes its clean cooking products at a factory in Paarl, near Cape Town, and at a factory in Lilongwe in Malawi.

The company is also planning to create two pellet mills in Zambia to produce fuel for the 40 000 MAFECS that it is aiming to sell in the country.

As for solar energy, the company can supply solar panels with a range of generating capacities, including 20 W, 45 W and 360 W. Produced at a new plant also located in Paarl, all EGA solar panels are certified by TÜV. (EGA plans to expand its solar energy range to include larger panels, batteries and inverters.)

EGA’s Zambian stores will also stock LED solar lights and 12 V 200 Ah lead acid solar batteries. Solar inverters will also be available. Warranties will be provided, as will customer support services. One of the Zambian stores will provide technical training and partnerships have been concluded with local technicians to provide any needed repair services.