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The Zambia–Czech Technology and Innovation Forum has opened in Lusaka with a call for closer collaboration to strengthen bilateral ties in technology, innovation, and a shift from dialogue to tangible outcomes.
The forum brings together government officials, innovators, business leaders, and technology experts from both countries to explore practical cooperation in science, technology, and industrial development.
Czech Republic Ambassador to Zambia, Jiří Kyrian, made the call during the official opening of the Tech for Zambia Innovation Forum held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka on Monday. The event is being hosted in collaboration with the Zambian government and Afripoli.
The gathering seeks to forge partnerships that promote local manufacturing, job creation, digital transformation, and sustainable economic growth — positioning Zambia as a hub for knowledge-driven industries in Southern Africa.
Jointly organized by Afripoli, the Ministry of Technology and Science, the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), and the Embassy of the Czech Republic, the forum focuses on areas including clean energy, artificial intelligence (AI), satellite and drone technology, cybersecurity, and innovation-driven enterprises.
“The Forum has a simple purpose — to turn ideas into action. We are adding a new pillar to our bilateral relations: technology and innovation. Czechia is ready to transfer advanced technologies and expertise to support Zambia’s development agenda,” Kyrian said.
He explained that discussions would focus on satellite and earth observation technologies for forest monitoring and infrastructure planning, AI and digital tools for public service delivery, clean energy for off-grid communities, and the use of drones for wildlife protection and farm management.
Kyrian also highlighted Czech innovators such as TRL Space, Alfred Poly, and Order Institute, who are ready to co-design and implement solutions with Zambian partners.
“Czechia integrates technology across its development programs in Zambia, from digital diagnostics in healthcare to precision tools in agriculture and natural resource management,” he added.
The Ambassador further underscored Czechia’s commitment to local capacity building, noting that between 20 and 25 Zambian students annually receive fully funded scholarships at leading Czech universities.
He said initiatives such as the UNDP Challenge Fund and the B2B Programme promoted joint ventures between Czech and Zambian enterprises.
Similarly, Afripoli Founder and Director Petr Boháček called for deeper cooperation between Zambia and the Czech Republic in technology and innovation.
“Both nations share a vision for sustainable development built on mutual benefit and knowledge transfer,” Boháček said.
He explained that Afripoli, in partnership with the Ministry of Technology and Science, ZDA, and the Czech Embassy, aimed to strengthen ties through practical cooperation in modern manufacturing, renewable energy, and digital transformation.
“These are not the old heavy industries of the past. We are talking about fast-moving, modern technologies that can be established quickly and bring knowledge transfer to Zambia,” Boháček added.
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Meanwhile, Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, urged both nations to move from discussions to tangible results that contribute to Zambia’s transformation agenda.
“Our expectation from this engagement is transformation — progress that replaces underdevelopment with innovation. As President Hakainde Hichilema reminds us, what matters most is delivery,” he said.
Mutati praised Czechia for offering annual scholarships in advanced research, engineering, and innovation, describing them as key to building Zambia’s digital capacity.
He outlined five pillars of Zambia’s digital transformation strategy — a strong regulatory framework, investment in digital infrastructure, enhanced cyber resilience, adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, and strategic partnerships to accelerate development.
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