As the nation’s markets grow and evolve, accurate measurement remains a cornerstone of honest trade. Ensuring consumers get full value for their money is not merely a regulatory requirement, but a fundamental right.
In markets, fuel stations, and supermarkets across the country, a quiet but critical fight for fairness in trade is taking place, and at the heart of this effort, is the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA), the body mandated to safeguard consumers by ensuring that weighing scales, fuel pumps, and pre-packaged goods deliver exactly what they claim.
Over the years, ZMA has stepped up inspections across both formal and informal trading spaces. These compliance checks—targeting everything from tampered scales in open markets to inaccurate fuel pumps at service stations—have played a major role in curbing consumer exploitation.
The Metrology Act No. 6 of 2017 gives ZMA legal authority over national measurement standards, type approval, and control of pre-packaged commodities, providing a clear legal basis for enforcement.
The Agency’s interventions, including the seizure of faulty instruments and correction of inaccurate equipment, have helped restore confidence in many commercial transactions.
In the third quarter of 2025, the Agency approved five measuring instrument models, including two bulk flow meters, two trade scales, and one portable weighbridge. Through the type-approval process, ZMA verified that each model met Zambia’s climatic, technical, legal, and trade requirements.
Agency Executive Director Humprey Nkobeni recently revealed that all instruments successfully passed prescribed tests, ensuring they are accurate, compliant, and reliable.
“This process safeguards consumers, promotes fair trade, and strengthens confidence in Zambia’s measurement systems and regulatory integrity,” he said.
By maintaining measurement standards, verifying and type-approving instruments, controlling pre-packaged goods, and offering calibration and inspection services, ZMA reduces cheating and disputes, protects consumers, and improves market confidence for local and international trade.
Consumer advocates like the Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) recognize ZMA’s critical role in promoting fairness in everyday trade.
“Their enforcement actions, including seizures and correction of faulty instruments, remain critical in safeguarding consumers,” ZACA Executive Secretary Juba Sakala noted in an exclusive interview.
While acknowledging visible progress, Mr. Sakala pointed out that the Agency’s overall effectiveness is still constrained by several challenges, including insufficient market surveillance.
“Market surveillance is not yet widespread enough to protect every consumer. Many rural and peri-urban trading spaces remain un-monitored, leaving consumers vulnerable to inaccurate measurements, especially in open markets and informal retail setting,” Mr. Sakala stressed.
He also highlighted low public awareness of metrology standards, noting that many buyers do not know their rights regarding accurate measurement—an information gap some traders exploit.
“ZMA’s communication and community sensitization efforts require significant strengthening,” he added. “Consumers must be empowered to recognize inaccurate measurements and to report violations.”
The continued use of tampered weighing scales, under-dispensing fuel pumps, and inconsistent packaging standards suggests that compliance among small and medium traders remains below acceptable levels.
Despite these hurdles, ZACA acknowledges ZMA’s important role in protecting consumers and promoting fairness in trade.
To enhance effectiveness, Mr. Sakala recommends expanding inspection coverage, intensifying public education, strengthening collaboration with consumer groups, and investing in modern verification technologies.
“ZACA rates ZMA’s performance as moderately effective. The Agency has made visible progress in promoting fairness in trade, but substantial improvements are needed to achieve consistent nationwide compliance,” Mr. Sakala said.
Economist Kelvin Chisanga also noted that ZMA’s increased inspections have reduced unfair practices and improved consumer confidence.
“The Agency has also supported industries by providing verification and calibration services that enhance product quality and competitiveness,” he said.
However, like ZACA, Mr. Chisanga observed that ZMA still faces challenges, including limited presence in rural areas, resource gaps, and low public awareness of consumer rights.
“Strengthening collaboration with other regulators and investing in more outreach would further improve its effectiveness,” Mr. Chisanga emphasized.
During the third quarter, the Agency conducted compliance inspections of pre-packaged products at 33 local manufacturing premises in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, and several other districts. A total of 231,524 pre-packaged products were checked, focusing on compliance with labeling and net content requirements, resulting in an overall compliance rate of 93.4%.
Some of the commodities inspected included mealie meal (98.8% compliance), agricultural fertilizers (98.4%), agricultural seeds (97.4%), cement (99%), cooking oil (99.6%), and bread (89.4%), against an overall target of 92%.
According to the Agency, the recorded compliance levels reflect a growing culture of quality assurance and regulatory adherence among local manufacturers.
Overall, ZMA remains essential in safeguarding consumers and promoting transparent, accountable trade across the country.
