Surya BioFuels
One of Zambia’s largest biofuel manufacturers, producing food- and fuel-grade ethanol and CO₂ from sugarcane molasses and cassava at 60,000 litres/day, under a zero-waste model.
Since 2016 · Katuba
2008
Group founded
10
Operating companies
5,000+
People employed
7
Countries served
About the Group
Built from a single farm-produced idea
Established in 2008, Surya Group is a diversified conglomerate with a strong presence in biofuels, energy, agriculture, packaging, glass manufacturing, spirits, infrastructure and logistics.
The Group is driven by the vision of creating sustainable, innovative and socially responsible businesses that contribute to Zambia’s long-term growth. The journey began in 2001, on a first visit to a sugar mill in India — the moment the idea of building a diverse portfolio from a single farm-produced product first took root.
Today we cultivate cassava and sugarcane, transforming them into fuel- and food-grade ethanol, premium spirits, and eco-friendly packaging, guided throughout by a zero-waste philosophy and the principle: “Clean Zambia, Green Zambia.”
Major shareholders of group companies
Kalpesh Patel
Founder & Chairman
Neetu Patel
Founding Member & Vice Chair
Surya BioFuels Limited
Surya Energy Limited
First Choice Logistics Limited
First Choice Breweries Limited
Jash Packaging Limited
Jash Beverages Limited
Surya Developers & Infra Limited
Surya Glass Limited
Arubhi Millers Limited
Arubhi Farms Limited
Surya Biofuels ethanol & CO₂ plant — Katuba, Chibombo District
What we stand for
Five values, every venture
History & milestones
Seventeen years of building, one sector at a time
2008
Surya Group founded with a focus on renewable energy.
2012
Expanded into agriculture and packaging solutions.
2016
Commissioned a state-of-the-art ethanol plant in Katuba.
2019
Diversified into spirits blending with First Choice Breweries.
2023
Recognised as a key player in Zambia’s green energy transition.
2025
Commissioned the largest glass foundry in Southern Africa.
Business verticals
The companies, one sun
Every venture traces back to what the land produces — cassava, sugarcane, maize — and how far Surya can carry it: into energy, into goods, into markets.
Leadership
The people behind the Group
Executive leadership
5 leaders
Sustainability & innovation
Growth and responsibility, together
Our operations are guided by a deep respect for the environment — minimising our carbon footprint, conserving natural resources, and promoting biodiversity through sustainable farming, zero-waste manufacturing, and investment in renewable energy.
From pioneering green biofuels toward a vision of running every plant on 100% renewable energy, to testing next-generation energy storage and solar-agriculture hybrids that power farms while growing food — sustainability, for us, is a form of innovation.
Infrastructure & facilities
Where we operate
Ethanol & CO₂ Plant — Katuba, Chibombo District
Glass Manufacturing Unit — Katuba
Arubhi Farms — Chibombo, 1,000 hectares
Arubhi Millers — Chalala
First Choice Logistics — Mungwi, Lusaka (office & workshop)
First Choice Breweries — Chinika light industrial area, Lusaka
Jash Packaging — Chinika light industrial area, Lusaka
Corporate offices — Lusaka (HQ), India, Dubai, Malawi, Tanzania
Strategic partners & clients
Zambian Breweries
ABInBev
Revin
Chingases
Bigtree Beverages
Sparkle
PRObottlers
The Buffalo Brewing Co
Invesco
Acacia
Minegases
Our footprint
Seven countries, one supply chain
From the Katuba plant and the Chibombo fields, Surya moves fuel, spirits, packaging and freight across Southern and East Africa on its own fleet — with corporate offices in India and Dubai supporting trade.
Zambia
Group HQ, Lusaka · plants, farms, breweries, packaging
DR Congo
Cross-border fuel and freight
Tanzania
Regional office · corridor logistics
Malawi
Regional office · distribution
Zimbabwe
Freight and clearing
Namibia
Walvis Bay corridor
South Africa
Procurement and freight
Future roadmap
What’s next for the Group
01
Surya BioEnergy — pyrolysis project and Surya Solarisation (solar energy project)
02
Surya Developers — new Surya Corporate Office in Roma, Lusaka
03
Surya Developers — fuel station expansion project
04
Surya Developers — 21-building residential complex
05
Surya Energy — warehouse and storage depot project
06
Surya Green Energy — setting up of compressed bio gas plant
Corporate social responsibility
Surya Foundation
Empowering lives, enriching communities.
As the philanthropic arm of the Group, Surya Foundation channels a portion of the Group’s earnings into education and healthcare — two pillars for building sustainable livelihoods. Beyond aid, the Foundation’s vision is to empower individuals, fostering self-reliance, inclusion and community development across Zambia.
Careers
Build what Zambia runs on
Over 5,000 people work across the Group — plant operators and agronomists, drivers and distillers, engineers and accountants.
01
Scale from day one
Ten companies across nine sectors — the work reaches real plants, farms and fleets, not slide decks.
02
Learn across industries
Move between ethanol, energy, glass, spirits and logistics as the Group grows.
03
Grow with the Group
Most of our plant and depot leadership was promoted from within.
04
Rooted in community
Outgrower schemes, Surya Foundation and local hiring are part of the job, not a side programme.
Open roles across the Group
Send your CV and the company you'd like to join.
Insights
From across the Group
News & Events
Latest
2025
Surya Glass commissioned at Katuba
The Group's most advanced manufacturing facility begins producing bottles and household glassware for local and export markets.
2024
Surya Energy expands its retail network
New fuel stations open as the Group grows its petrol, diesel and LPG footprint across Zambia.
2023
Recognised in Zambia's green energy transition
The Group's ethanol and zero-waste programmes named a key contribution to national renewable energy goals.
Industry Insights
Draft — awaiting copy
Biofuels & Renewable Energy
What a national ethanol blend would mean for Zambian fuel
Blending mandates elsewhere in the region have reshaped both farm incomes and import bills. A look at the arithmetic for Zambia.
Agriculture & Food Security
Two crops, one plant: why cassava sits beside sugarcane
Crop diversity steadies feedstock supply across the season and pays outgrowers year-round rather than at one harvest.
Trade & Logistics
Walvis Bay or Dar es Salaam: choosing a corridor
Distance is only one input. Border dwell time, return loads and fuel availability decide which route actually costs less.
View all insights →