Zambia to Commission One Million-Litre Fuel Depot
Zambia is on the brink of commissioning one of the largest fuel storage facilities in the region—the Lusaka West Fuel Depot—boasting a one million-litre capacity, aimed at boosting the country’s fuel security and distribution efficiency.
Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary Peter Mumba, who toured the state-of-the-art facility on Monday, confirmed that final preparations were underway to officially commission the depot, which was completed in 2024 at a cost of millions of Kwacha.
Speaking in a statement following the tour alongside senior Government officials and petroleum technical experts, Mr Mumba expressed satisfaction with the infrastructure’s quality and readiness, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to expedite its commissioning.
“We are pleased with the progress and can confirm that the facility is ready for both cold and hot commissioning in the coming weeks. This project is a major step toward enhancing national fuel security,” Mr Mumba said.
Once operational, the Lusaka West depot will significantly increase Zambia’s fuel stockholding capacity, ease nationwide fuel distribution, and reduce logistical bottlenecks that have affected petroleum supply chains in the past.
“This strategic investment not only strengthens the country’s energy infrastructure but also supports the implementation of the TAZAMA Pipeline Open Access Framework,” Mr Mumba noted, referring to the policy framework that aims to liberalise pipeline and storage infrastructure use.
The depot is expected to enable greater transparency and competition by allowing multiple players, including private sector entities, to access and utilize the pipeline and storage system—an important reform aimed at enhancing private sector participation in the petroleum subsector.
Mr Mumba emphasized that the depot’s completion marked a key milestone in the Government’s broader energy strategy to modernize infrastructure, ensure reliable fuel availability, and support economic growth.
