Sunbird Group at the Luapula Expo 2026
- May 13
- 2 min read
Advancing Zambia’s Agri-Energy Future
Sunbird Group was proud to sponsor and participate in the Luapula Expo 2026, demonstrating our long-term commitment to supporting sustainable investment, rural industrialisation, and renewable energy development across Northern Zambia.
The Expo provided an important platform to engage with government, investors, traditional leadership, agricultural stakeholders, and local communities on the future of Zambia’s agri-energy sector.
A particular highlight was the visit by Hakainde Hichilema to the Sunbird stand, where discussions focused on the significant economic opportunity that integrated agri-energy projects can bring to Luapula Province and beyond.
Building Enhanced Agricultural Value Chains
Sunbird’s strategy is centred on developing integrated agri-energy platforms that create value across the full agricultural supply chain. Our projects are designed not only to produce renewable fuel, but also to stimulate wider economic activity through:
large-scale agricultural development,
out-grower farming programmes,
renewable power generation,
livestock feed production,
clean cooking fuels,
logistics and transport services,
and long-term rural industrialisation.
By linking agriculture directly to energy and industrial markets, Zambia has an opportunity to unlock significant new value chains that support both economic growth and energy security.
Luapula’s Strategic Potential
Luapula Province possesses exceptional agricultural and natural resource potential. With the right investment framework and policy support, the region could play a major role in Zambia’s renewable fuel transition.
Sunbird believes that Luapula alone has the potential to support renewable fuel production equivalent to approximately 10% of Zambia’s current petrol demand through sustainable domestic bioethanol production.
Importantly, this opportunity extends beyond Luapula. The same integrated agri-energy model could be expanded across Northern Zambia, including into Muchinga Province, helping to establish a broader regional agri-energy corridor.
Such a corridor could support:
fuel import substitution,
renewable power generation,
rural employment creation,
agricultural productivity,
livestock sector development,
and future sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) opportunities.
Policy Alignment and Fuel Blending
During the Expo, there was strong discussion around implementation of Zambia’s fuel blending framework and the associated Statutory Instrument for mandatory ethanol blending.
Clear implementation of blending policy is critical to unlocking private investment into renewable fuels and enabling Zambia to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
A stable and predictable policy framework allows developers, lenders, and investors to move forward with confidence on projects that can deliver:
long-term energy security,
reduced fuel import costs,
rural industrial development,
and lower lifecycle carbon emissions.
Creating Jobs and Long-Term Economic Impact
Integrated agri-energy developments have the potential to create substantial economic multiplier effects across rural economies.
At scale, projects such as those being developed by Sunbird can support:
thousands of agricultural livelihoods,
significant direct industrial employment,
local infrastructure development,
and long-term private sector investment into rural Zambia.
By converting Zambia’s agricultural potential into renewable energy and industrial products, the country can build resilient new industries that support inclusive economic growth.
A Shared Vision for Zambia’s Future
The Luapula Expo highlighted growing momentum behind Zambia’s transition toward enhanced agricultural value chains, renewable energy, and regional industrialisation.
Sunbird Group remains committed to working alongside government, local communities, investors, and development partners to help unlock this opportunity and support Zambia’s position as a future leader in African renewable fuels and agri-energy development.
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