The World Bank has pledged $100 million to accelerate the country’s digital infrastructure and expand internet access. The announcement was made on Friday by Zhang Wencai, Managing Director and World Bank Group Chief Administrative Officer, during a meeting with Zambian Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati.
The funding will be channelled through the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project, financed under the International Development Association (IDA). This initiative aligns with the Zambian government’s priorities, focusing on expanding broadband infrastructure and services. It also aims to deploy digital public infrastructure to enhance efficiency in both the public and private sectors.
“The project is designed to support digitisation in selected high-impact sectors, including the promotion of employable digital skills,” said Zhang. He added that a project implementation unit would be established within the state institution, SMART Zambia Institute, to spearhead cross-cutting government digitisation initiatives.
Zambian Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati expressed gratitude for the World Bank’s support, noting that the project would significantly promote digitisation across the country.
This investment is expected to play a crucial role in Zambia’s digital transformation, offering improved internet access and fostering technological growth that will benefit various sectors of the economy.
