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Zambia must close gaps in digital access and skills while moving from being a passive consumer of technology to becoming a producer of innovation, Technology and Science Minister, Felix Mutati, said on Monday.
Speaking at the E-Mark Zambia AI & Robotics National Finals at Mulungushi Conference Centre, Mutati said stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and young innovators was essential if the country was to compete in the global digital economy.
He said technology should be applied to address local challenges in agriculture, energy, mining and financial services, adding that success stories emerging from young Zambian innovators showed what was possible “when creativity and technology intersect.”
“Our young people are central to this transformation. Today’s youth are engaging with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics at an early age—skills that were previously inaccessible,” Mutati said.
He said government support through digital platforms, mentorship and training was enabling young people to experiment and solve real-world problems.
Mutati added that investment in digital skills and infrastructure was “essential, not optional,” and urged innovators to embrace failure as part of the development process.
He stressed that digital transformation could not be driven by any one institution, saying progress required coordinated efforts from government, the private sector, academia, development partners and families.
“Government will continue to play a convening role, mobilising support and facilitating opportunities despite resource constraints,” he said.
Kusobile Kamwandi, Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit, said innovation was already contributing to national development, noting the growing impact of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector on Zambia’s GDP.
E-Mark Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Mwanza, said investing in young people was critical to shaping the country’s digital future.
The competition showcased several youth-led innovations, including a functional service robot built by a 12-year-old participant named Nandipa, which organisers said demonstrated the depth of emerging talent in the country.
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