IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The nation of Zambia has reportedly taken dynamic, innovative steps to advance its I.T. agenda and further invest in communication technologies at home and throughout the Southern African Development Countries (S.A.D.C) to the benefit of its citizenry. We at BlueCosmo Satellite Communications, proud of our truly international reach, believe these ambitions could not have been recommended at a more appropriate time.

Further, recent remarks by that nation’s leadership, if backed up by significant action, could serve as a benchmark for emerging markets in Africa and around the world to follow in order to strengthen business ties, promote future private and public sector partnerships and modernize ‘e-governance’ through the advancement of communications technology.

The partnership will enable ISchool Zambia sell ZeduPad tablets to 150 private schools under PRISCA at a reduced rate.

PRISCA chairman George Ngwenya said e-learning in private schools should be promoted as it supports Government’s introduction of information communication technology studies programmes in schools.

Veridos has won a contract with The Republic of Zambia to deliver polycarbonate electronic ID cards to the country.

Based on the German eID card concept, there is a contactless security chip embedded in the new ID card which supports multiple applications for biometric identification, authentication, and digital signature services. International standards including X.509 certificates for secure authentication are applied and biometric information is stored on the card

Huawei Technology Zambia has finally unveiled Zambia's first national data centre constructed as part of the Smart Zambia project.

The data centre, under the Smart Zambia phase 1 project, is being implemented via the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) and funded by the Chinese government through a concessional loan.

In this week’s column we look at the beneficial relationship Zambia enjoys with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

We also reflect on the recent visit to Zambia, by the Deputy Secretary General of the ITU, Houlin Zhao.

ZAMBIA Development Agency (ZDA) says the one-stop-shop integrated system (OSSIS) facility expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of this year on a trial basis, will help speed up the registration process for businesses.

According to a statement posted on the ZDA website, the OSSIS is an information and communication technology (ICT) programme that will enable stakeholder agencies share client registration information.

To this effect, ZDA has embarked on an ICT infrastructure integration programme to help reduce business registration and other processes to about two hours at the one-stop-shop.

President Edgar Lungu has pledged to reposition Zambia by transforming the country into an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub in Africa. Centre of Excellence for e-Government and ICT (CEEGICT) national coordinator Felix Phiri said it was the President’s expectation that all Government services would in the next five years be offered online. This will help provide effective public service delivery, which is expected to be achieved in the next one year.

“His Excellency is on firm ground and believes that in order to stimulate socio-economic growth, ICT will play a pivotal role, hence the ‘Smart Zambia’ vision. “I interpret ‘Smart Zambia’ to be about how the Government uses ICT to deliver better services, create jobs and transform the Zambian society and economy in a constantly changing environment,” Dr Phiri said.

Government has announced that the fifth Generation Mobile (5G) network will be officially launched in Zambia with MTN Zambia on November 24, 2022.

Technology and Science Minister, Felix Mutati, made this announcement in Lusaka today on the sidelines of the ongoing Innovation Africa Summit.

The government has announced plans to establish digital transformation centres across the country to enhance access to information communication technology (ICT), especially among rural communities.

Smart Zambia Institute National Coordinator, Percy Chinyama, said this is in an effort to ensure that members of the public utilise and appreciate the Government Service Bus (GSB) initiative.

The Kalulushi smart City Project in Zambia, developed by the Kalulushi Municipal Council in collaboration with Smart City Limited, is edging closer to the construction phase following the launch of the invitation for bids from qualified and credible contractors to undertake the construction works for the project.

According to the Chairman of Kalulushi Smart City Limited Mr. Peter Nasilele, the project will be carried out in two phases on the 67 hectares piece of land No. 3380 which is situated at the corner of Luapula road and President Avenue.

Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet in charge of E-government Martine Mtonga says President Edgar Lungu is committed to have a Smart Zambia by 2030 where all young people will have access to equal education opportunities.

Dr. Mtonga this after donating 10 computers to St. Francis Catholic Pre-School in Lusaka.

The Zambia Digital Economy Diagnostic, a new report developed by the World Bank, finds that Zambia is making significant strides towards the use of digital tools to achieve the social and economic transformation goals set forth in its Vision 2030.

The report commends Zambia’s rapid expansion of mobile network access and the progress made in digitizing government services through SMART Zambia.

The report commends Zambia’s rapid expansion of mobile network access and the progress made in digitizing government services through SMART Zambia.

The Zambia Digital Economy Diagnostic, a new report developed by the World Bank, finds that Zambia is making significant strides towards the use of digital tools to achieve the social and economic transformation goals set forth in its Vision 2030.

Dr Msiska said the private sector should raise to the challenge especially in this era where fast evolving ICT market takes centre stage.

Dr Msiska was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he officiated at the GRZ-ZAMTEL Expo, a facility that has created a forum by bringing all government line ministries and departments together so that they could explore internet services and e-governance programmes.

Transport and Telecommunications Minister Brian Mushimba has announced that his ministry has been granted approval by Cabinet to introduce a converged licencing framework in the sector.

Mr Mushimba said the new licencing framework will inevitably open up the telecommunications market beyond the current three mobile operators.

A while back, we had shared information on Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA)’s collaborative partnerships with regional and international bodies. In this week’s column we look at the beneficial relationship Zambia enjoys with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

We also reflect on the recent visit to Zambia, by the Deputy Secretary General of the ITU, Houlin Zhao.

The ITU, which was actually the first United Nations (UN) agency to ever be established 149 years ago (it clocks 150 years next year), is responsible for information and communication technology (ICT) issues, and is the global focal point for governments and the private sector in developing networks and services.

The Indian Government has since pledged continued support to Zambia’s quest to ensure that ICT is made available and affordable to the general population of the country.

Communication and Transport Minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa said it was Government’s intention to ensure that the citizenry including those in rural areas were brought into the orbit of ICT as this was key to stimulating socio-economic development.

The introduction of the e-banking service is in response to a new business environment that has become increasingly dependent on e-governance, said Muyangwa Muyangwa, commissioner for the ZRA's Customs Service Division.

I could not believe this and asked him whether that was the true position government had taken. His answer was in the affirmative. He further stated that this was the reason why embassy staff in London were traveling throughout the country asking people to renew their passports. Well, I thought if this is the way our government is going to conduct its business, then I am sorry we may sing as many songs as we like but no serious tourists, investors, or any other business partners would ever take us seriously. I thought for a while and wondered whether the advent of ICTs and the development of ICT based systems meant anything to our policy makers.