Zambia Strengthens ZABS Testing Capacity with New Laboratory Equipment
The equipment was provided through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) under the National Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project, which is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The Zambian government has handed over new laboratory equipment to the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) to strengthen the country’s testing and conformity assessment capabilities, in a move aimed at improving trade competitiveness and supporting industrial growth.
The equipment was provided through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) under the National Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project, which is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB). Additional laboratory equipment was donated by the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) through its PROFishBlue Programme, further enhancing ZABS’ technical capacity.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Permanent Secretary for Investment and Industrialisation, Crusivia C. Hichikumba, represented by Director of Technical Regulation Brian Moonga, described the equipment as a strategic investment that will improve the efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of Zambia’s conformity assessment services. He said the enhanced testing capacity will facilitate smoother trade along the Lobito Corridor while reinforcing the government’s commitment to strengthening standardisation as a key driver of product quality, consumer protection, and fair trade.
The Ministry noted that the investment will benefit critical sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and fisheries, by reducing technical barriers to trade and enabling locally produced goods to comply with regional and international quality standards. It added that the initiative aligns with Zambia’s commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), supporting economic growth, industrialisation, and job creation.
ZABS Executive Director Nathan Sing’ambwa said the new equipment will significantly enhance the Bureau’s Testing Laboratories Unit, improving the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of laboratory testing and certification services. He noted that the investment will reduce testing turnaround times, expand laboratory capacity, and help maintain internationally accredited testing services.
Sing’ambwa added that the equipment will be deployed to laboratories in strategic locations, including facilities serving communities along the Lobito Corridor and in North-Western Province, bringing testing services closer to industries and traders. He also highlighted that the investment will strengthen the testing of fish and fish products, helping ensure they meet national and international quality and safety standards, boosting consumer confidence and improving access to export markets.
