The ICT Association of Zambia is pleased to hear that Astria Learning & Net One Zambia plan to assemble devices in Zambia to increase availability of technology at affordable prices while building local skills capacity and creating jobs.
ICTAZ president Clement Sinyangwe as this will assure the emergence of a powerful IT sector in the region.
The just ended 2022 Africa Innovations Ministerial Summit saw the re-commitment of the Zambian government to establish the country as an Innovation Hub for the region.
During the summit opening ceremony, Republican President Hakainde Hichilema highlighted the need for the private sector to partner with the public sector in ensuring that local innovations tapped into the youth population for a technological based economy.
The summit was held under the theme: Digital Transformation in Education and Skills Development for Africa where over 300 delegates from across the continent and world over are gathered.
According to Minister of Technology and Science, Honourable Felix Mutati, the theme aligns well with our need as a country and continent at large, for improved digital transformation in education and skills development and it further resonates with our aspirations to advance innovation and digital transformation.
The Technology and Science Minister said it is time for our continent to consolidate its capacity to use ICT in coming up with home grown solutions to the challenges faced and our aspirations as collective nations.
“As the Ministry of Technology and Science, we are keen to participate in the various panel discussions and are eager to share our experiences to the delegates on digital transformation and skills development,” Mr Mutati said.
The ICTAZ president, during his interview on the ZNBC TV1 Kwacha Good Morning show, said that the association was excited at the successful hosting of the Africa Innovation summit because many young people were able to demonstrate their innovations and IT-based products to the local and international candidates.
Mr Sinyangwe commended the E-Government Division (SMART Zambia), Ministries of Education and Technology & Science and corporate sponsors for bringing together over 300 delegates to discuss practical initiatives to implement information technology for development.
ICTAZ, as the regulator of IT professionals, is geared to support the agenda of establishing Zambia as an innovation hub. This will be achieved by stakeholder engagement, continuous professional development of ICTAZ members and promotion of youth initiatives such as hackathons and innovation hubs.
