Metro

Zambia’s digital economy: Balancing innovation, regulation

Published

4 months ago

August 30, 2024

Digital technologies are increasingly recognised as crucial tools for developing countries to accelerate economic growth and sustainable development.

These technologies can enhance service delivery, create new jobs and wealth, improve accountability and transparency, and support evidence-based policy-making, ultimately boosting productivity and growth.

The rapid evolution of new and emerging technologies is influencing economic activities in profound ways, making the landscape both dynamic and complex.

Zambia, with its youthful population, shows a strong appetite for digital technologies across various sectors of the economy.

According to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats), 48 percent of the population is under 14 years old, while only 3 percent are over 65.

Additionally, the 2021 World Development Index reported a youth unemployment rate of 26.1 percent, highlighting the urgent need for new opportunities to spur job creation across all sectors.

“Multiple assessments have revealed that Zambia has the necessary foundational elements to build a cohesive and integrated digital economy that unlocks several financial and economic opportunities for its citizens,” stated a report on Zambia’s digital economy.

The 2020 World Bank Digital Economy Diagnostic report acknowledged key advancements, such as the expansion of Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network coverage, the deployment of a backbone fibre network, increased uptake of digital financial services, and the digitalization of government services.

However, it also noted gaps in the policy, legal, and regulatory environment, as well as in digital skills and the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

A 2021 analysis by the Zambian government and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) echoed these findings, emphasizing that while Zambia possesses the necessary elements for building a digital economy, a more targeted approach is required to fully realize the benefits.

The report highlighted the need for enhanced coordination on policy and regulatory issues, increased investments in infrastructure, and the development of basic, intermediate, and advanced digital skills.

Digital platforms and services in Zambia are emerging across various sectors, such as Smartcare for patient records management in health, digital platforms in agriculture, and significant adoption of mobile money services in the financial sector.

Progress has also been made in digitalizing tax collection processes by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), marking a key milestone in the country’s journey towards a digital economy.

However, there is still work to be done to develop digital platforms in sectors like tourism, agriculture, and transportation, and to create linkages between existing services for a more integrated digital economy.

Enhancing the performance of existing digital platforms and expanding their reach across various sectors remain critical steps.

Investing in these areas could greatly increase efficiencies in both the public and private sectors by leveraging the potential of digital technologies.

Moreover, unlocking new opportunities in the digital economy for innovators, start-ups, and content creators can significantly contribute to overall economic growth in Zambia.

Zambia stands at a pivotal moment, where balancing innovation with effective regulation could unlock substantial benefits for its economy and citizens, driving the nation towards a more digitally inclusive future.

This story is sponsored by Project Aliyense.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

7 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

12 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.