OMCAZ calls for the creation of a Petroleum Authority

The Oil Marketing Companies Association of Zambia (OMCAZ) has made a passionate appeal to the newly structured Ministry of Petroleum, calling for the immediate establishment of a specialized Petroleum Authority. Speaking on the evolving dynamics of the country's energy sector, OMCAZ President Dr. Kafula Mubanga emphasized that the creation of an independent regulatory body dedicated entirely to petroleum affairs is long overdue and critical for long-term national economic stability. Dr. Mubanga pointed out that while the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) currently handles broad regulatory oversight across electricity, renewable energy, and downstream petroleum, the unique and complex challenges of the oil and gas sector require a singular, focused institution. A dedicated Petroleum Authority would streamline policy implementation, supervise upstream exploration initiatives, and manage strategic reserves more effectively. Industry experts note that as Zambia seeks to diversify its energy sources and encourage local oil and gas exploration, institutional fragmentation remains a notable bottleneck to attracting serious foreign and domestic capital. Over recent years, Zambia's downstream petroleum sector has weathered significant turbulence, ranging from supply chain bottlenecks and logistical hurdles along regional transport corridors to intermittent pump price adjustments. OMCAZ believes that a specialized authority would foster greater transparency, improve stakeholder engagement, and prevent recurring supply crunches that disproportionately impact ordinary consumers and commercial enterprises alike. Furthermore, a focused regulatory framework could better protect domestic players while ensuring compliance with national energy policies. The call for structural reform also aligns with broader aspirations to optimize domestic refining capacities, particularly around the strategic utilization of the TAZAMA pipeline and the revitalization of the Indeni Petroleum Refinery