By: Ecofin Agency

In a joint statement issued on July 22, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) said they were strengthening oversight of the Storage and In-Transit Losses Guidelines, which govern how petroleum losses are measured, verified and resolved. The regulators said some oil marketing companies had failed to use approved measurement methods, bypassed established dispute-resolution procedures and loaded fuel tankers beyond certified capacities, increasing the risk of quantity discrepancies during transportation. In response, they have expanded nationwide industry training, established a multi-sector oversight task force and committed to investigating fuel shortage complaints.

The enforcement aims to improve transparency and consistency in petroleum trading by standardizing fuel measurement throughout the supply chain. Under the guidelines, fuel quantities must be verified using calibrated bulk flow meters as the primary measurement tool, supported by certified dipsticks and dip charts for reconciliation at loading and offloading points. The framework also replaces the previous practice of automatic financial deductions for reported fuel losses with a verification process based on jointly confirmed measurements, reducing disputes over responsibility for product losses during storage and transport.

The measures are part of Zambia's broader effort to strengthen regulation of a fuel market that depends almost entirely on imported refined petroleum products. Accurate measurement is critical because even small discrepancies across thousands of deliveries can translate into significant commercial losses, affect tax assessments and undermine confidence in petroleum transactions. Across Africa, regulators have increasingly strengthened legal metrology systems to improve accountability in fuel distribution, reduce leakages and combat fraud through more accurate measurement and certification standards.

The latest enforcement also builds on reforms introduced earlier this year. In February 2026, the Zambia Metrology Agency made the use of calibrated dipsticks and certified dip charts mandatory for petroleum measurement, while the Energy Regulation Board directed all licensed operators to implement the Storage and In-Transit Losses Guidelines from June 3. By reinforcing compliance with those requirements, the regulators aim to improve operational efficiency, strengthen consumer protection and support a more transparent downstream petroleum market.