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Zambians have consumed over 11,000 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) this year, driven by a drought-induced power deficit that has heightened demand for alternative energy sources.
Energy Regulation Board (ERB) Director-General, Elijah Sichone, disclosed this during a joint stakeholder meeting held on Tuesday in Lusaka.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by ERB Director of Technical Regulations, Allen Polito, Sichone noted a significant rise in LPG consumption over the past decade—from 2,800 metric tonnes in 2013 to 9,490 metric tonnes in 2023, with this year’s consumption already surpassing previous records.
The increase, Sichone explained, has been supported by initiatives such as the Alternatives to Charcoal (A2C) Project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Other contributing factors included revisions to the LPG regulatory framework and intensified public awareness campaigns on the benefits of using LPG for cooking and heating.
“Enhanced public awareness and the demystification of safety concerns have led to a rise in licensed LPG distributors, from three in 2014 to 15 as of last month,” Sichone stated.
Sichone highlighted that government efforts to promote LPG usage dated back to 2008, with strategies developed in 2012 to expand its domestic application.
However, gaps in the initial framework prompted new interventions, now under review.
The meeting was jointly hosted by the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA), whose Executive Director, Humphrey Nkobeni, emphasized LPG as a cleaner, more efficient alternative to traditional fuels such as charcoal and firewood.
“With rising demand, it is critical to regulate the LPG sub-sector to ensure growth without compromising safety, fair trade, and consumer protection,” Nkobeni said, calling for alignment with international standards to unlock the sub-sector’s potential.
Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency Executive Director, Gerald Chizinga, urged stakeholders to propose actionable recommendations for improving the regulatory framework and enhancing public safety.
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