The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) has urged controlling officers, chief executive officers, and procuring entities to adhere to the published Market Price Index when making public procurement decisions following the release of the Third Quarter 2026 Market Price Index.
ZPPA Assistant Public Relations Officer, Lucy Lumbe, says the quarterly Market Price Index is issued in accordance with Section 12(3) of the Public Procurement Act No. 8 of 2020, and provides updated market prices to guide the procurement of goods, works, and services across public institutions.
Ms. Lumbe has also advised procuring entities that the acceptable price range is already reflected in the published minimum and maximum prices.
“The tolerable range of prices for goods, works, or services in the Market Price Index, which is plus or minus fifteen percent (±15%) of the average prices, is included in the minimum and maximum prices,” said Ms. Lumbe in statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
Ms. Lumbe has therefore, reminded procuring entities not to recalculate the fifteen percent (15%) as it is already included in the minimum and maximum prices in line with section 3.0 of the Market Price Index publication for the third quarter of 2026.
She has further encouraged procuring entities to continue submitting soft copies of standard and commonly procured items.
Ms. Lumbe said the Third Quarter 2026 Market Price Index is available on the ZPPA website and through the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) platform.
By Margaret Mwanza
