BTA Admin Charcoal remains the primary cooking fuel for many households in Zambia, despite its environmental impact and long-term health concerns. In response, Emerging Cooking Solutions—operating under the brand SupaMoto—has developed a cleaner and more affordable alternative aimed at shifting everyday cooking habits.
The company was founded by American-born entrepreneur Marion Peterson and her husband, Mattias Ohlson.
Building a clean cooking alternative
SupaMoto positions itself as part of a growing push toward cleaner household energy solutions in Africa, where traditional biomass fuels like charcoal continue to dominate despite their cost and environmental burden.
Peterson explained that the company’s focus goes beyond simply introducing a product—it is about changing behaviour in how households cook and access energy.
From Europe to Zambia’s energy market
Peterson also reflected on her move from Europe to Zambia to build the business, highlighting the challenges of adapting to a new operating environment and consumer market.
Early-stage hurdles included understanding local customer needs, building trust in communities, and adapting the product offering to match affordability constraints.
Scaling through community networks
A key part of SupaMoto’s growth strategy has been its use of community-based agents to drive sales and expand reach.
This model has allowed the company to tap into local networks, improve product adoption, and create income opportunities within the communities it serves.
Emerging opportunities in Zambia
Beyond clean cooking solutions, Peterson noted that Zambia presents a range of untapped business opportunities, particularly in sectors where everyday challenges remain underserved by formal markets.
As the company continues to grow, SupaMoto is positioning itself not only as an energy alternative provider but also as part of a broader shift toward sustainable and community-driven business models in the region.
