Infratel moves to mentor young innovators, sets up hub at University of Zambia

Infratel has launched an innovation hub at the University of Zambia (UNZA) intended to provide technical expertise, mentorship and resources for young innovators, including girls.

Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Evans Silavwe, said the hub was designed to sustain innovation beyond the Girls in Tech Bootcamp currently underway in Chongwe under the theme “Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators.”

Silavwe said young innovators — particularly girls — face several barriers, including low representation in ICT careers, limited exposure to innovation platforms, persistent perceptions of technology as a male-dominated field, and lack of early mentorship and hands-on digital skills training. He said the absence of long-term support structures increases the risk of losing emerging talent.

He added that the programme encouraged girls to develop solutions tailored to Zambia’s context instead of relying on external technologies that may not be adaptable.

Silavwe noted that women account for roughly 30 percent of employees in tech-related careers, adding that targeted interventions remained necessary.

He said engaging learners as early as Grade 11 may influence career pathways.

“The intention is to build a stronger and more diverse tech workforce,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, said girls should be assessed based on their abilities rather than gender.

He cited examples of girls participating in robotics and innovation competitions, saying such cases showed that innovation was not determined by background or economic status.

Mutati said the Bootcamp was expected to prepare participants for upcoming international robotics and innovation contests and argued that all learners should have access to technological tools and platforms.

He said the Ministry remained committed to the Smart Zambia Agenda, which includes digitisation of public services, support for innovation, and expanding access to technology.

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