The Zambian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening technical cooperation with China as part of efforts to improve the country’s national measurement infrastructure and support industrial development. The cooperation brings together the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) and China’s Changcheng Institute of Metrology and Measurement (CIMM) in an effort to build stronger technical capabilities in measurement science and technology. The initiative is expected to create opportunities for knowledge sharing, technology transfer and the development of modern laboratories. It also reflects Zambia’s broader efforts to establish strategic international partnerships that can support economic transformation. By improving the accuracy and reliability of measurements, the Government believes the partnership can contribute to stronger trade, manufacturing, scientific research and industrial activity.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting between the Zambia Metrology Agency and CIMM in Lusaka, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Trade, Mrs Lilian S. Bwalya, said the collaboration represents an important step in strengthening Zambia’s measurement capabilities. She explained that the Government is seeking strategic partnerships with leading Chinese metrology institutions to strengthen the country’s national measurement infrastructure. According to Bwalya, the cooperation marks a new chapter in the technical relationship between Zambia and China. She highlighted the importance of building national capacity in measurement science and technology as Zambia works to develop a more competitive and industrialised economy. The engagement also demonstrates the Government’s intention to use international technical partnerships to address areas that are critical to economic development.
The cooperation is expected to take shape through reciprocal visits involving senior leadership from China’s metrology institutions and their Zambian counterparts. Bwalya said the ongoing engagement provides a platform for the two countries to identify practical areas where technical expertise and resources can be shared. The proposed framework will cover capacity building, technology transfer, research, laboratory development, digital metrology and innovation. These areas are important because modern industries depend on accurate measurement systems to maintain product quality, improve efficiency and meet technical requirements. Zambia’s ability to strengthen these systems could therefore have a direct impact on businesses operating across manufacturing, trade, science and other technical sectors.
Metrology, which focuses on the science of measurement, plays an important role in everyday economic activity even though it is often not widely recognised by the public. Accurate measurements are essential when determining the quantity and quality of goods, testing industrial products, conducting scientific research and ensuring compliance with technical standards. Reliable measurement systems also help create confidence between producers, consumers and trading partners because products and services can be assessed against recognised requirements. Bwalya stressed that strengthening metrology and measurement science would improve the quality, accuracy and reliability of measurements supporting Zambia’s economy. This makes the proposed cooperation particularly relevant as the country seeks to expand industrial production and improve its participation in domestic and international markets.
The Government also sees the partnership as part of Zambia’s wider industrialisation agenda. Bwalya said stronger technical capacity would help create a robust measurement system capable of responding to the needs of a growing economy. Industrialisation requires more than investment in factories and production facilities because industries also need laboratories, testing capabilities, technical expertise and reliable standards. Developing these systems can help local producers meet quality requirements while supporting research and innovation. The Government’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships is therefore aimed at building technical foundations that can contribute to sustainable economic transformation over the long term.
Zambia Metrology Agency Board Chairperson Mr Musamala J. Nyirongo said the cooperation would benefit the country through enhanced technical capacity and knowledge transfer. He explained that working with experienced Chinese institutions would give Zambian specialists an opportunity to gain additional expertise in modern measurement systems. The partnership is also expected to strengthen Zambia’s ability to ensure that measurements are conducted accurately and in line with required standards. This is particularly important for sectors where measurement errors can affect product quality, commercial transactions and industrial processes. Greater technical capacity within the ZMA could also strengthen the institution’s ability to support businesses and other organisations that depend on reliable measurement services.
CIMM Deputy Director Professor Han Yizhong reaffirmed the Chinese institution’s commitment to sharing its expertise with the Zambia Metrology Agency. He described the cooperation as a testament to the long-standing relationship between Zambia and China. The commitment from CIMM provides an opportunity for Zambian technical personnel to access knowledge and experience from an institution with expertise in measurement science and technology. Such exchanges can help strengthen professional skills while supporting the introduction of improved technical practices. The cooperation could also create opportunities for further collaboration in research, laboratory development and technological innovation as the relationship develops.
Zambia Metrology Agency Executive Director Mr Humphrey Nkobeni said the engagement presents an opportunity for Zambia to learn from China’s experience in metrology and technical development. He explained that the visit would include facility tours and assessments, allowing the participating institutions to examine existing capabilities and identify areas where cooperation could be expanded. The exchange of knowledge and expertise will also help the two sides understand the technical requirements of Zambia’s measurement system. These assessments can provide a basis for developing practical programmes focused on improving laboratories, equipment, skills and technical processes. The approach could ensure that future cooperation responds directly to Zambia’s measurement needs rather than relying only on broad technical agreements.
The focus on digital metrology and innovation could also become increasingly important as Zambia modernises its industrial and scientific infrastructure. Digital technologies are changing the way measurements are collected, analysed, stored and shared across many sectors. Developing expertise in these areas could help Zambian institutions improve efficiency and introduce more advanced measurement services. Research and laboratory development could further support local innovation by providing scientists, manufacturers and technical professionals with better facilities for testing and experimentation. Through cooperation with Chinese institutions, Zambia could gain access to technical knowledge that supports the gradual modernisation of its national measurement infrastructure.
The partnership between Zambia and China also highlights the importance of technical cooperation in strengthening economic relationships. While bilateral cooperation often includes trade, investment and infrastructure development, technical capacity can provide an important foundation for sustainable economic activity. Reliable measurement systems help businesses demonstrate compliance with standards and build confidence in their products. They can also support regulators in verifying whether goods and industrial processes meet established requirements. As Zambia continues pursuing industrial development, strengthening the institutions responsible for measurement science could therefore contribute to a more reliable and competitive business environment.
The engagement between the Zambia Metrology Agency and CIMM is expected to provide a foundation for continued collaboration between the two institutions. Facility assessments, technical exchanges and leadership engagements can help identify specific projects that can deliver measurable improvements to Zambia’s measurement capabilities. Capacity building and technology transfer could strengthen the skills of local professionals while laboratory development could improve the country’s ability to perform advanced measurements and testing. Research partnerships could also encourage innovation and create opportunities for Zambian and Chinese experts to work together on technical challenges. These areas of cooperation could become important components of Zambia’s efforts to build the technical capacity required for sustained industrial growth.
The Government’s renewed commitment to technical cooperation with China reflects the growing importance of measurement science in Zambia’s economic development plans. By strengthening the Zambia Metrology Agency and expanding cooperation with experienced international institutions, the country can improve the accuracy and reliability of measurements used across trade, manufacturing, research and industry. The proposed collaboration with CIMM offers opportunities for skills development, technology transfer, laboratory improvement, digital metrology and innovation. If effectively implemented, the partnership could help Zambia develop a stronger national measurement system that supports businesses and industrial development. The cooperation ultimately provides another avenue through which Zambia and China can use technical expertise and institutional partnerships to support long-term economic transformation.