ZMA Surpasses Targets, Leads Africa in Measurement Standards
The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) has surpassed its mid-year performance targets, reaffirming its critical role in ensuring accurate measurements, safeguarding consumers, and promoting industrial efficiency across the country.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka, ZMA Director Humphrey Nkobeni highlighted the agency’s achievements during the first half of 2025. “This briefing provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on our progress, highlight our achievements, and reaffirm our commitment to excellence in regulating measurements and providing technical support to all sectors of the economy,” he said.
Nkobeni revealed that ZMA had type-approved seven new models of measuring instruments for the Zambian market, a process that ensures all instruments meet legal, technical, and performance standards before use in trade. Between January and June 2025, the agency calibrated 2,213 instruments and standards, exceeding its target of 2,073, representing 107% achievement. Statutory verifications reached 38,735 against a target of 37,728, achieving 103% performance.
The agency also inspected 444,908 locally produced prepackaged commodities, achieving 95.2% compliance, surpassing the 92% target. Key products included mealie meal (97.3%), flour (99.3%), roofing sheets (100%), cement (89.8%), building blocks (100%), putty (99%), tile fix (100%), animal feed (98%), agricultural fertiliser (100%), and liquefied petroleum gas (100%). Imported commodities also performed strongly, with 1,689,845 products inspected at a 98% compliance rate.
Nkobeni confirmed that 15 public complaints regarding petroleum and construction products had been fully investigated and resolved. The agency is currently conducting the annual second-round statutory verification of fuel pumps, bulk flow meters, and master meters nationwide, with 6,981 of 8,500 fuel pumps already verified.
Following the bumper 2024/25 harvest, ZMA has prioritised protecting farmers and buyers from unfair measurements, verifying all Food Reserve Agency scales and inspecting grain buyers and roadside sellers across multiple provinces. The agency is also preparing for the 2025/26 Farmers Input Support Programme, collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and other key institutions to inspect fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides to ensure compliance with declared specifications.
On the regional stage, Nkobeni announced that Zambia had been elected Vice President of the Intra-Africa Metrology System (AFRIMETS) and appointed Chairperson of its Legal Metrology Technical Committee. “This dual recognition positions Zambia at the forefront of regional decision-making in metrology, allowing us to harmonise measurement standards across Africa,” he said.
Looking ahead, ZMA will focus on expanding verification coverage in underserved areas, strengthening public and industry engagement, enhancing regulatory partnerships, and investing in laboratory infrastructure and regional collaboration. Nkobeni expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, ZMA staff, the private sector, media, and regional and international partners.
“Let us continue to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, reliability, and integrity in measurement, because precise data and measurements are the foundation of sustainable development,” he concluded.
