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Review Article Volume 9 Issue 4
Open access realized: a critical review of the TAZAMA pipeline policy and its implications for Zambia’s energy security
Manyika Kabuswa Davy, Tembo Davies
Received: November 11, 2025 | Published: December 31, 2025
Citation: Davy MK, Davies T. Open access realized: a critical review of the TAZAMA pipeline policy and its implications for Zambia’s energy security. Phys Astron In. 2025;9(3):280-283. DOI: 10.15406/paij.2025.09.00402
Abstract
Since April 2025, Zambia’s Tanzania-Zambia Mafuta (TAZAMA) pipeline, previously used for crude transport, has functioned under a new Open Access regime, permitting multiple Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to transport low sulfur gasoil (LSGO) from Dar es Salaam to Ndola. This policy shift represents a landmark reform in the Zambian petroleum sector, aiming to foster competition, transparency, and energy security. This paper critically reviews the Open Access Policy (OAP), examining its design, implementation, and early outcomes in the context of Zambia’s chronic energy challenges. We explore the institutional architecture, tendering processes, demand forecasting mechanisms, and the role of regulatory and governmental oversight. We also analyze emerging challenges, including allegations of monopolistic storage usage and capacity constraints, and assess their implications for market efficiency, pricing, and national energy security. Finally, we provide policy recommendations aimed at strengthening the OAP framework, mitigating risks, and aligning the pipeline’s operations with Zambia’s strategic energy needs.
Keywords: TAZAMA pipeline, open access policy, low-sulfur gasoil, energy security, petroleum sector reform, regulatory governance
©2025 Davy, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.