The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to expanding free universal education up to secondary school, noting that the policy has already brought 2.5 million children back to school.
President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, has called on the country’s ICT sector to take a leading role in driving economic growth and national transformation. Speaking at the 2026 ICTAZ Tech Conference, he emphasized that ICT is not just a sector but a critical enabler across all areas of the economy, including agriculture, mining, energy, governance, and public service delivery. He noted that Zambia is in a phase of economic rebuilding and must leverage technology to unlock its full growth potential, stressing that the country has the resources and timing to expand beyond its current economic targets.
The President highlighted the impact of technology in the mining sector, revealing that advanced digital tools and artificial intelligence contributed to the discovery of a major copper deposit. He described the project as a significant development with an initial value exceeding $2 billion and potential to grow further. Hichilema added that Zambia is targeting a total copper production of 3 million metric tons annually, with individual large-scale mines expected to contribute hundreds of thousands of metric tons toward this goal.
He further explained that ICT can significantly improve productivity in agriculture, where current yields are still low. According to him, technology such as precision irrigation and digital agronomic systems can help farmers increase output from under two tons per hectare to as much as seven to ten tons per hectare. This would allow Zambia to increase production without expanding farmland, thereby protecting the environment while boosting food security and economic output.
In governance, the President stressed the need for digital transformation to improve efficiency in public service delivery. He encouraged the use of technology to reduce bureaucratic processes such as excessive paperwork and memos, promoting faster communication and decision-making through digital tools. He also emphasized fiscal discipline, noting that reducing unnecessary government spending—particularly on travel and workshops—can generate savings that can be reinvested into development priorities.
Hichilema also addressed revenue collection, particularly at the local government level, noting that technology can help improve efficiency without increasing taxes or rates. He pointed out that many councils are sitting on untapped revenue and urged the use of ICT systems to enhance collection processes. He explained that better systems would allow governments to lower financial pressure on citizens while still increasing overall revenue collection.
The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to expanding free universal education up to secondary school, noting that the policy has already brought 2.5 million children back to school. He stressed that economic growth driven by ICT will create opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship, especially for Zambia’s youthful population. He concluded by urging the ICT sector to take ownership of its role in national development and to actively contribute to building a stronger, more inclusive economy.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, emphasized that digital consumption is the key driver in achieving the country’s ambition of building a $60 billion economy. Speaking at the same conference, he noted that while Zambia has made significant progress in expanding digital infrastructure, the next phase must focus on increasing the use and adoption of digital services among citizens.
Mutati highlighted that Zambia’s fibre optic network has expanded significantly, growing from about 15,000 kilometers to 45,000 kilometers, a development he attributed to government reforms, including the removal of import duties on digital infrastructure. He explained that this expansion has laid the foundation for increased connectivity, but stressed that the focus must now shift to ensuring that more citizens actively use digital platforms.
He noted that internet usage currently stands at around 40 percent, and that Zambia must aim to increase this figure to about 80 percent in order to achieve its $60 billion economic target. According to him, digital consumption must be scaled across all sectors to unlock productivity, innovation, and economic growth.
The Minister also highlighted initiatives aimed at improving access to digital tools and opportunities, including platforms that enable young people to develop business plans and access funding through programs such as the Constituency Development Fund. He further mentioned plans to introduce free public Wi-Fi initiatives to expand access to digital services for ordinary citizens and encourage greater digital engagement.
Mutati pointed to success in Zambia’s capital markets as evidence of growing confidence in the digital economy, noting that a tech-driven company recently raised capital on the Lusaka Securities Exchange’s alternative market, with subscriptions exceeding expectations by 114 percent. He said this demonstrates that capital is available, but what is needed is a structured and efficient approach to accessing and utilizing it.
He concluded by stressing that Zambia must continue to adopt a methodical and disciplined approach to digital transformation. According to him, sustained progress in connectivity, combined with increased digital consumption, will be essential in driving innovation, expanding economic opportunities, and achieving the country’s long-term development goals.
