Powering Progress in Zambia: Clean Energy Innovations Transform Nkhundye’s Farming Community

Eastern Province is witnessing a quiet but powerful transformation—one driven not by fossil fuels, but by the sun, water and biomass.

As part of the Joint Sustainable Development Goals (JSDG) Project, rural communities in Chipata, Mambwe, Lundazi and Petauke districts are adopting renewable energy solutions that are improving livelihoods, creating green jobs and strengthening resilience to climate change.

Through the International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations in Zambia team is implementing a one-year initiative aimed at accelerating the deployment and adoption of clean energy solutions. For rural entrepreneurs, farmers and technical training institutions, the project is more than an energy intervention—it is a lifeline for economic diversification, productivity and sustainable growth.

Led by the ILO, the initiative has equipped 40 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), alongside instructors from technical education, vocational and entrepreneurship training (TEVET) institutions in Eastern Province, with critical skills to support Zambia’s clean energy transition. By strengthening business innovation among entrepreneurs and integrating renewable energy into training curricula, the UN Joint SDG Fund programme is fostering an enabling ecosystem for inclusive green growth, job creation and the practical adoption of clean energy solutions.

A Model of Rural Energy Transformation

At the heart of this transformation is Nkhundye, a vibrant farming community of approximately 600 households, located 50 kilometres east of Petauke town. Surrounded by fertile fields, fresh air and abundant natural resources, Nkhundye offers a glimpse into the future of rural electrification powered by clean energy.

The community has embraced solar and bioenergy technologies for household use and agro-processing—innovations that are strengthening food security, reducing household costs and opening new market opportunities for farmers.

A major milestone is the establishment of a biogas mini-energy facility that now meets the energy needs of all households in the area. The biogas provides clean lighting and cooking fuel, while also powering a generator that pumps water to community vegetable gardens, supporting year-round food production and improving nutrition.

From Livestock to Livelihoods

Central to this system is a communal kraal with the capacity to hold 300 cattle. According to George Sakala, Chairperson of the Nkhundye Community Cooperative, the success of the initiative is rooted in collective action and shared vision.

“Without the commitment of our farmers and the unity of purpose in this community, we would not have been able to build the kraal or the biogas network that now powers our homes,” he said.

The kraal not only protects livestock from predators at night, but also enables the daily collection of dung used to produce biogas. This has delivered far-reaching benefits, particularly for women.

Women no longer rely on firewood for cooking, significantly reducing exposure to harmful smoke and the risk of respiratory illnesses. The shift has also eliminated the burden of walking long distances to collect firewood and water. Today, households access clean water from a shared borehole with storage tanks powered by solar pumps and biogas energy.

Affordable, Inclusive and Life-Changing Energy

Homes located within a 100-metre radius of the biogas facility are connected through a network of underground pipes. Households beyond this range receive biogas in portable 200-litre inflatable bags, which last between three and five days. Importantly, the energy is accessed free of charge, ensuring no household is left behind.

One beneficiary, Finess Phiri, shared how the initiative has transformed her daily life:

“I am very happy with this initiative because it has reduced the time we used to spend looking for firewood. Cooking is now easier, and I have more time to attend to other chores at home and work in the fields.”

Scaling up for Sustainability

Building on the success of the project, the community has begun constructing a second kraal with the capacity to hold 1,000 cattle. Once completed, it will enable Nkhundye to be fully self-sufficient in energy production while further reducing pressure on surrounding forests.

A beneficiary of the ILO-supported training, Sakala says the long-term vision is to replicate the model across Petauke district and beyond.

“We want other villages to see that clean energy is possible, affordable and sustainable. By using what we already have, we can protect our environment, create jobs and improve our quality of life,” he said.

In Nkhundye, clean energy is not just powering homes; it is powering progress, dignity and a more sustainable future for generations to come.

This story was originally published by the UN in Zambia team. Please visit the UN team's website for more information about its work in Zambia.