Nkobeni Elected AFRIMETS Veep

Zambia’s metrology chief chosen to help lead Africa’s top measurement standards body

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (August 2, 2025) -Zambia has achieved a major milestone in Africa’s metrology leadership with the election of Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) Executive Director, Humphrey Nkobeni, as Vice President of the Intra-Africa Metrology System (AFRIMETS).

According to the notification made on the ZMA official Facebook page, Nkobeni was elected during the 18th AFRIMETS General Assembly held in Accra, Ghana, which brought together experts and regulatory leaders from across the continent.

 The high-level forum was officially opened by Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, who emphasized the critical role of standardized measurement systems in driving trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

As AFRIMETS Vice President, Nkobeni will support the harmonization of technical regulations and measurement standards across Africa. 

His mandate includes advancing digital transformation through technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and e-verification, as well as strengthening procedures for the verification and calibration of measuring instruments.

This election is not only a personal milestone but a continental call to action for deeper collaboration in metrology.

The election also shows that Zambia is ready to take a central role in delivering harmonized, reliable, and forward-looking measurement systems across the continent.

Nkobeni will also spearhead capacity-building initiatives and foster knowledge-sharing among national metrology institutions to enhance regulatory oversight in sectors such as mass, utilities, fuel dispensers, and pre-packaged goods.

These efforts are aimed at bolstering consumer protection, ensuring fair trade, and enhancing Africa’s industrial competitiveness.

In a further boost to Zambia’s metrology leadership, Nkobeni was also elected Chairperson of the AFRIMETS Legal Metrology Technical Committee during the same assembly. 

In this role, Nkobeni will lead the development of legal measurement guidelines across Africa, complementing his ongoing service as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Legal Metrology (SADCMEL).

“Accurate and harmonized measurement systems are essential for cross-border trade, especially under the AfCFTA, the strategic importance of Nkobeni’s dual appointments."

Nkobeni reaffirmed his commitment to aligning Africa’s legal metrology systems with regional and international benchmarks.

 “AFRIMETS fosters collaboration and builds robust quality infrastructure systems for Africa. I am honoured to serve and look forward to working with all member states,” he said.

Nkobeni’s election as a landmark achievement and a source of national pride. His leadership is expected to elevate Zambia’s profile in regional trade facilitation and contribute significantly to Africa’s economic transformation.

AFRIMETS operates under the Pan African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI) framework and plays a central role in harmonizing measurement systems to support trade, health, and safety across the continent.