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Government has released K255 million to improve mobile phone network quality and expand connectivity, particularly in underserved rural areas where poor service continues to affect businesses and digital transactions.
Speaking at the Digital Economy Roundtable in Lusaka on Thursday, Technology and Science Minister, Felix Mutati, said the funds would become available next week.
Mutati said the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) should work with private sector players to ensure the resources were used effectively to improve connectivity and service delivery.
He said poor network coverage continued to affect many users, particularly in rural areas where mobile services were increasingly used for business and digital financial transactions.
Mutati, however, commended the private sector for contributing to growth in the digital sector, noting that national connectivity levels had reached 94 percent.
“Financial inclusion had risen to 80 percent, driven largely by digital platforms such as mobile money services,” he added.
The minister also said private investment had expanded Zambia’s fibre optic network from 15,000 kilometres to 45,000 kilometres, linking the country to all eight neighbouring states.
Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit, Kusobile Kamwambi, said government had developed a tracking system to monitor implementation of digital transformation projects.
Kamwambi said the platform was also being used to facilitate discussions on issues affecting the sector, including possible tax incentives.
Technology and Science Permanent Secretary, Brilliant Habeenzu, said the Digital Economy Roundtable was helping government and industry stakeholders address challenges such as poor mobile service quality.
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