The donation marks a key milestone in supporting Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TVET) institutions across the country, with officials highlighting its role in bridging the digital divide and improving access to practical ICT training, especially for students in rural and peri-urban areas.
The Government of the Republic of Korea has donated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment valued at US$149,525 to the Ministry of Technology and Science, in a move aimed at strengthening Zambia’s digital transformation and skills development agenda.
The donation marks a key milestone in supporting Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TVET) institutions across the country, with officials highlighting its role in bridging the digital divide and improving access to practical ICT training, especially for students in rural and peri-urban areas.
Receiving the equipment, Permanent Secretary Eng. Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu expressed appreciation to the Government of Korea, noting that Zambia continues to draw lessons from Korea’s rapid economic transformation. He emphasized that the country, under President Hakainde Hichilema, has implemented key reforms including free education, student meal support in higher learning institutions, and increased investment in skills development through Constituency Development Fund allocations.
He further highlighted Zambia’s growing digital economy, pointing to a rise in mobile money transactions from about 700 million to 1.5 billion annually, alongside significant growth in employment opportunities within the sector. He also underscored the importance of ICT and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in improving productivity across agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
The Permanent Secretary noted that the donated equipment will help strengthen training capacity in TVET institutions, enhance digital literacy, and equip young people with skills needed for an innovation-driven economy. He described the support as a contribution not only to education but also to broader national development goals.
Ambassador Park Jaekyung of the Republic of Korea described the donation as a reflection of the strong bilateral partnership between both countries. He stressed that sustainable development depends not only on technology transfer but also on investing in human capital.
He outlined Korea’s development success factors, including alignment of training with industry needs, emphasis on hands-on learning, and continuous skills development. He added that Zambia, with its youthful population and policy commitment to innovation, is well positioned to accelerate its digital transformation.
Acting Director of Vocational Education Training, Ms. Precious Lisulo, welcomed the donation, describing it as a strategic investment that will benefit thousands of students annually, strengthen digital learning systems, and improve institutional efficiency across TVET centres.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustaining the impact of the donation through capacity building, maintenance systems, and deeper integration of ICT into training programmes, aligning with Zambia’s 8th National Development Plan.
The donation underscores growing cooperation between Zambia and the Republic of Korea in advancing digital skills, innovation, and inclusive economic development, with both countries reinforcing a shared commitment to building a knowledge-based economy.
