The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) is set to commence its first bi-annual statutory verification exercise of 2026, targeting all measuring instruments within the petroleum sub-sector to ensure trade accuracy and consumer protection.
The announcement follows a high-level virtual preparatory meeting held yesterday, chaired by ZMA Director for Legal Metrology, engineer Michael Nsefu.
The meeting brought together key industry stakeholders, including Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), technical service providers, and ZMA metrologists to coordinate the upcoming nationwide inspections.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr Eng Nsefu stated that the Agency was ready to commence the exercise and called on all stakeholders to fully cooperate to ensure its successful implementation.
The exercise, mandated under the Metrology Act No. 6 of 2017, requires the mandatory testing of fuel dispensers and bulk flow meters twice a year.
“The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) today held a virtual preparatory meeting ahead of the kick-off of the bi-annual verification exercise of all measuring instruments used in the petroleum sub-sector. These instruments include bulk flow meters and fuel dispensers,” the agency wrote.
“The verification exercise is conducted twice a year to ensure that all measuring instruments used in the petroleum industry are accurate and compliant. This helps prevent over-dispensing or under-dispensing of petroleum products, thereby protecting both consumers and businesses.”
Upon successful verification, a ZMA verification sticker indicating the validity period is affixed to each instrument.
The agency stated that this sticker serves as official confirmation that the instrument has been verified and meets the required accuracy standards within the stated validity period.
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GOVERNMENT says the reduction of prices on selected products by ZAMBEEF must be emulated by other companies to ease the cost of living for Zambians.
The price cuts come against the backdrop of a stabilising exchange rate, easing inflation and lower commodity prices, which the company says have created room to pass on savings to consumers.
Commerce, Trade and Industry minister Chipoka Mulenga has praised ZAMBEEF for taking the lead, saying the move demonstrates how Government reforms are beginning to yield tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
The reductions include a 10 percent cut on Zamshu leather shoes, a three to five percent reduction on poultry and chicken feed and a five percent cut on day-old chicks, with the latter two set to take effect tomorrow.
Speaking during the announcement, Mulenga challenged other companies to follow ZAMBEEF’s example by translating improved macroeconomic conditions into lower prices for consumers, particularly as the country heads into the new year.
“Today’s announcement shows what can be achieved when government and the private sector work together,” Mulenga said.
The Minister described the price cuts as timely, noting that inflation has dropped to about 10.5 percent and the exchange rate has stabilised, signs that Government interventions are beginning to pay off.
He said the reductions will particularly benefit parents preparing for the school year and families planning festivities such as Valentine’s Day, adding that the move supports rural livelihoods and value addition.
Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary in charge of Commerce and Trade, Lillian Bwalya, said the growing collaboration between Government and the private sector is bearing fruit, with increased investment flowing into the manufacturing sector.
She said Government remains committed to improving the business environment and supporting private sector initiatives aimed at promoting value addition, economic growth and national development.
Announcing the price cuts, ZAMBEEF Products PLC chief executive officer Faith Mukutu said the decision was driven by the company’s desire to pass economic benefits to consumers while supporting market growth and cost optimisation.
Mukutu said ZAMBEEF will continue to engage Government and trade associations to promote sustainable socio-economic growth, adding that the company is awaiting further policy clarity on Statutory Instrument No. 110 before reviewing prices of synthetic shoes.
Zambia Association of Manufacturers president Muhammed Umar described ZAMBEEF’s move as a clear sign of progress in the manufacturing sector, made possible by improved macroeconomic fundamentals such as stable fuel prices and a more reliable power supply.
Umar urged other manufacturers to review their cost structures and consider price adjustments that support consumer welfare while ensuring business sustainability.
Meanwhile, Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting chief executive officer Emmanuel Mumba said 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Zambia’s economy, marked by exchange rate stability, easing inflation and increased private sector investment, especially in the energy sector.
Mumba said the positive trends signal renewed confidence in Zambia’s economic prospects and reflect the impact of sound policy decisions and reforms, adding that ZACCI remains ready to support Government efforts to enhance the business environment, promote value addition and strengthen local enterprise participation.
This is according to a statement issued by the Ministry’s principal public relations officer Everness Nankala.
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CENTRAL Province has recorded the highest number of non-compliant products during the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency’s (ZCSA) 2025 nationwide market surveillance.
According to ZCSA, this was largely due to high fertiliser use and local manufacturing activity at the time of the exercise.
Responding to journalists’ questions during its end-of-year media briefing in Lusaka, ZCSA executive director Gerald Chizinga said Central Province stood out because the surveillance targeted high-risk products that are widely consumed or produced in the region.
“The products we focused on included fertiliser, peanut butter and fruit-flavoured drinks, which are either heavily used or manufactured in Central Province,” Chizinga said.
He added that inspections were conducted during the farming season, when fertiliser usage peaks, and it seems like most farmers were buying substandard fertiliser.
According to ZCSA, fertiliser standards require the product to be free-flowing to allow easy application in fields.
ZCSA manager for domestic quality monitoring Elias Kansembe said fertiliser that forms hard blocks becomes non-compliant because it can no longer be evenly applied to crops.
“This happens when fertiliser is exposed to moisture,” he explained.
“That is why fertiliser bags are required to have a plastic lining to prevent moisture from coming into contact with the [particles].”
Meanwhile, Chizinga highlighted some of the successes of the year which included the declaration of 41 new Zambian standards as compulsory in 2025, expanding the regulatory oversight to 102 products.
He said the move represented a 67 percent increase in products regulated under compulsory standards.
The new standards, which took effect on October 1, 2025, cover both locally manufactured and imported goods, including packaging materials, fertilisers, fish feed, food products, lubricants and fuels, beverages such as table wines and energy drinks, and construction materials including concrete blocks and steel reinforcement bars.
Furthermore, ZCSA, during this year’s nationwide Open Market Surveillance (OMS) exercise conducted between October 12 and December 5, 2025, covered all 10 provinces, including 61 districts and 108 localities, up from nine provinces covered in 2024.
During the exercise, inspectors assessed 41 product categories across 1,584 trading outlets and examined 1,925 product brands.
A total of 470 cases of non-compliance were recorded.
Common violations included administrative non-compliance such as lack of permits or certification, 176, cases, non-compliant electrical fittings 150, expired products, 50, banned or prohibited products, 43, poor labelling, 40, and the presence of foreign matter in products.
Chizinga added that as a result of the inspections, ZCSA withdrew 5,663 unsafe products from the market, including electrical fittings, potable spirits, rubber condoms, bottled water, fruit-flavoured drinks, household electrical appliances and packaged food products.
An additional 14,121 products were quarantined or restricted pending further verification, with bottled water, dishwashing liquid, fertilisers, potable spirits and sugar accounting for the largest volumes.
Chizinga said the total value of withdrawn products in 2025 was estimated at K440,645.89, a sharp decline from K818,039.19 recorded in 2024.
He attributed the reduction to improved compliance and increased awareness among market players.
Furthermore, the ZCSA stated that the overall compliance levels stood at 85.5 percent in 2025, down from 93.4 percent in 2024.
However, Chizinga said the decline should be viewed in the context of expanded surveillance.
“The number of OMS activities more than doubled, inspection days nearly tripled, and coverage widened significantly, enabling the identification of more non-conformities,” he said.
He added that Inspector-days also increased by 273 percent compared to 2024, reflecting enhanced monitoring capacity.
ZCSA pledged to enhance market surveillance, enforcement and public education in 2026, while encouraging consumers to report suspicious products and purchase goods only from trusted sources.
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