EU, ILO hand over ICT equipment to boost Zambia’s skills training agenda

Government has emphasized the need to scale up practical, market-oriented skills training aligned to emerging economic opportunities and enhance collaboration with partners such as the International Labour Organisation and the European Union.

The call was made during the official handover of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to the Ministry of Technology and Science and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

The equipment was handed over by the EU, in partnership with ILO, under the Skills Development for Increased Employability Programme (SDEP) in Lusaka on Tuesday.

Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary, Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, noted that government alone cannot adequately address the country’s development challenges, hence the need for strong partnerships with cooperating partners.

“Government alone cannot adequately address the country’s development challenges, hence the need for strong partnerships with cooperating partners,” Habeenzu said.

He commended the EU and ILO for complementing government efforts through strategic investments in digital infrastructure and skills development systems.

Habeenzu also underscored the importance of digital transformation within the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) sector.

“Modern technologies such as e-learning platforms, digital assessment systems, artificial intelligence, and virtual learning environments are essential in ensuring Zambia’s skills sector remains competitive and responsive to evolving labour market demands,” he noted.

The Permanent Secretary stated that Zambia’s ambitions in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and industrial growth could only be realized through a highly skilled workforce equipped with relevant digital and technical competencies.

He appealed for strengthened collaboration with the ILO and EU to further support the digital transformation of Zambia’s TEVET sector.

“The ceremony underscored the Government of Zambia’s commitment to digital transformation, skills development, labour market modernization, and enhanced public service delivery in line with the vision of the Government under President Hakainde Hichilema,” Habeenzu said.

He expressed profound gratitude to the EU and the ILO for their continued support to Zambia’s skills development agenda through the SDEP.

Habeenzu emphasized that the collaboration remained instrumental in strengthening the Ministry’s capacity to coordinate, monitor, and support national skills development initiatives.

“The ICT equipment handed over, including laptops, desktop computers, monitors, printers, and internet connectivity support, valued at over K890,000, would significantly enhance the Ministry’s operational efficiency and programme implementation capacity,” he said.

Habeenzu assured the cooperating partners that the equipment would be properly maintained and utilized responsibly to maximize its impact.

He highlighted government’s deliberate prioritization of skills development through increased Constituency Development Fund allocations, with a substantial proportion directed toward skills training and youth empowerment.

“Despite Zambia’s youthful population and abundant potential, many young people continue to face unemployment due to skills mismatches and limited access to modern training tools,” he said.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Zechariah Luhanga welcomed the ICT equipment handover as timely and transformative, particularly as the Ministry continued implementing key reforms within the labour and social security sectors.

Luhanga also commended government for approving critical policies in the labour sector, including the National Productivity Policy and the revised National Employment and Labour Market Policy.

“The updated labour market policy reflects changing realities within the world of work and positions Zambia to respond effectively to evolving labour market dynamics,” he said.

ILO Country Director for Zambia and Malawi Wellington Chibebe reaffirmed the International Labour Organization’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s skills development and labour market systems through strategic partnerships with government and cooperating partners.

He stated that the ICT equipment valued at approximately K996,000 had been procured under the Skills Development for Increased Employability Programme, implemented by the ILO with financial support from the European Union Delegation to Zambia.

“The investment demonstrates the collective commitment of the EU, ILO, and the Government of Zambia toward strengthening institutional capacity, improving coordination, and promoting evidence-based decision-making in skills development and labour market systems,” Chibebe said.

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