‘No diesel shortage but logistical challenges,’ ERB assures Zambians of stable fuel supply

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has denied reports suggesting that Zambia was experiencing a diesel shortage, insisting that national fuel stocks remained stable and well above the country’s minimum requirements.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Lusaka, ERB Public Relations Manager, Namukolo Kasumpa, described the claims — published on December 3, 2025 and linked to alleged supply constraints at INDENI Energy Company Limited — as misleading and likely to cause unnecessary public alarm.

“There is currently no diesel crisis in Zambia,” Kasumpa said.

According to the ERB, Zambia had a combined 150.2 million litres of diesel in reserve as of 2 December 2025.

This includes 47.72 million litres stored at the Ndola Fuel Depot and 102.48 million litres at the Kigamboni Tank Farm in Tanzania.

“These levels exceed the national minimum daily requirements and provide strong assurance of continued fuel availability,” Kasumpa noted.

She clarified that intermittent fuel shortages reported in isolated areas were the result of routine logistical and distribution challenges, not a depletion of national stocks.

“The intermittent supply patterns observed in some locations are linked to logistical and distributional issues such as scheduling delays, transportation constraints and temporary depot congestion. These are normal operational occurrences in fuel supply systems worldwide,” she said.

Kasumpa added that corrective measures were activated promptly whenever such disruptions occur to safeguard market stability and protect consumers.

Reaffirming the ERB’s commitment to transparency, she urged the public and media to rely on verified information.

“Misleading or unverified reports can cause unnecessary public alarm and disrupt market behaviour. We encourage the public to follow official ERB updates through our established communication channels, she said.”

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.