Zambian Breweries Launches Eagle Extra, Promoting Sustainability and Local Empowerment

Zambian Breweries has launched Eagle Extra, an exciting new addition to its Eagle beer lineup, blending innovation, sustainability, and local community empowerment into a refreshing lager. This bold new beer, made with locally sourced cassava, offers Zambian consumers an affordable yet premium-quality choice, while supporting the country’s agricultural sector and small-scale farmers.

The introduction of Eagle Extra aligns with Zambian Breweries’ ongoing mission to combine quality with affordability. Thais Cavinatto, Country Director for Zambian Breweries, emphasized the brand’s commitment to making high-quality beer accessible to all Zambians. “Eagle Extra reflects our belief that quality shouldn’t come at a price too high for everyday Zambians,” said Cavinatto.

What sets Eagle Extra apart is its use of cassava—a locally grown crop sourced from over 6,000 small-scale Zambian farmers. This focus on local sourcing is part of the company’s broader sustainability and empowerment agenda. Through out-grower schemes, Zambian Breweries not only purchases cassava from farmers but also provides training, equipment, and financial support to help them grow their businesses. This initiative is directly helping boost the livelihoods of Zambian farmers while contributing to the growth of the country’s agricultural economy.

Cavinatto highlighted the importance of these partnerships: “Every bottle of Eagle Extra represents the hard work and dedication of Zambia’s local farmers. We are proud to showcase their contributions through this exceptional product.”

Simmy Chapula, Director of Coordination and Delivery at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry, praised Zambian Breweries for its efforts to support local farmers while ensuring fair pricing. “Fair pricing is not only about economic justice but also crucial for the agricultural sector that this product we are launching today depends on. By ensuring farmers receive a fair return for their crops, Zambian Breweries is well-positioned to build a long-term partnership with farmers, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality cassava to maintain the production of Eagle Extra.”

As Zambia’s leading beer manufacturer, Zambian Breweries continues to prioritize innovation and sustainability in its operations. Eagle Extra is being launched in returnable bottles as part of the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility. By encouraging consumers to return and recycle bottles, Zambian Breweries aims to reduce waste and contribute to a cleaner, greener Zambia.

Ms. Cavinatto stressed that responsible consumption is just as important as sustainability in brewing. She called on consumers of legal drinking age to enjoy Eagle Extra responsibly: “We encourage our consumers to make meaningful connections and choose products that contribute positively to their lives and the communities around them. Responsible consumption is key to building a better future for all of us.”

A key part of Zambian Breweries’ mission with Eagle Extra is addressing the widespread issue of illicit alcohol consumption in Zambia. Currently, it’s estimated that 70% of the alcohol consumed in Zambia is unregulated and often dangerous, posing serious health risks to consumers. 

The availability of low-cost, high-ABV illicit spirits like junta and tujilijili remains a persistent problem. Zambian Breweries, in collaboration with the Coalition Against Illicit Alcohol (CAIA) and government bodies, is working to combat the harmful effects of unregulated alcohol through educational campaigns and intervention initiatives.

“By offering an affordable, high-quality option, we are not only promoting responsible drinking but also directly addressing the serious issue of illicit alcohol that continues to plague our communities,” added Cavinatto.

The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry has taken steps to promote public safety by enforcing quality standards through the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency. Zambian Breweries’ efforts to ensure that products like Eagle Extra are both affordable and safe further complement the government’s goals of protecting consumers and promoting economic development.

Eagle Extra also marks a new chapter for the Eagle brand, which has become one of Zambian Breweries’ fastest-growing beer brands, increasing in popularity at five times the rate of any other product in its portfolio. Ms. Cavinatto expressed optimism that Eagle Extra would soon be a household name, just like Eagle Lager.

“With this new addition, we are setting the stage for even greater growth, further support for our farmers, and an even deeper connection with our consumers,” Cavinatto concluded.