Good industry practices key for Zim LPG sector: Ne...

Good industry practices key for Zim LPG sector: Nexas

Bridget Mabanda

A local Liquefied Petroleum Gas company, Nexas Gas and Equipment, attended the East Africa LPG Expo held in Tanzania where they discussed balancing the equations of pricing, demand and supply which all are pertinent issues affecting LPG players in Africa.

Speaking to Zimbabwe Now, Nexas Gas and Equipment managing director, Duncan Kahwiti, said the two-day workshop, which ran from March 15 to March 16, 2023 was of paramount importance as they learnt about good industry practices in LPG operations and management.

“We went as Nexas, as the team trying to get more information and education on how others are doing it out there. As you have witnessed in Zimbabwe, there is a marginally high consumption of LPG, hence we need to equip ourselves with more knowledge,” he said.

He said the workshop also focused on the benefits that LPG brings to all, and the economies of Tanzania and its neighbouring countries.

Kahwiti said the workshop highlighted that there is need to ensure the LPG industry in Tanzania and its neighbouring countries are well positioned to develop their future LPG businesses in a safe and sustainable manner.

“One of the objectives of the workshop was to secure common agreement with all key stakeholders to address some of the poor business practices that are taking place, and develop action plans and a timetable to implement a series of improvements,” he added.

He said that there is need for standards improvement when it comes to LPG gas in Zimbabwe as the country is lagging behind in terms of standards.

Kahwiti added that the conference enabled delegates to meet with prominent names in the LPG sector, including global business and association leaders, government officials, and C-suite executives, to develop strategies to overcome current issues and utilise elite knowledge that could determine tomorrow’s market.

In Zimbabwe, the LPG use is gaining momentum as an alternative source of energy.

The product is widely used by consumers of various backgrounds from industrial, domestic, commercial and farmers.

The sector is still regarded as young in terms of uptake thus presenting opportunities for investors who may set up various infrastructures as importers, wholesalers, retailers or manufacturers and revalidation of cylinders.

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority values safe use of LPG in the home and has various awareness and educational programmes to ensure zero accidents rate is maintained in the sector.