The 2023 National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy of Zambia

The 2023 National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy of Zambia serves as a strategic guide to foster the country’s digital transformation, aligning it with the global shift towards a digital economy. It builds on the foundational 2006 policy, emphasising inclusivity, innovation, and resilience in the ICT sector. The policy aims to bridge the digital divide, providing a framework for public and private sector collaboration in ICT infrastructure development, digital skills enhancement, and the promotion of e-services. It recognises the importance of emerging technologies such as AI, the internet of things, and blockchain, aiming to integrate them into various sectors to drive socioeconomic growth.

Security and data privacy are prioritised to create a safe digital environment, responding to the risks brought by increased digital activities. To address these concerns, the policy includes measures like enhancing cybersecurity frameworks and creating a robust legal structure with the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act and the Data Protection Act. Additionally, the policy focuses on developing digital skills across all educational levels, aiming to make ICT an integral part of the Zambian educational system to support the nation’s broader goals of becoming a middle-income country by 2030.

The implementation framework outlined in the policy emphasises a multistakeholder approach, involving government ministries, private sector players, and international partners. This collaborative effort aims to secure the necessary resources for ICT development through various funding sources, including foreign investments, public-private partnerships, and bilateral agreements. Monitoring and evaluation processes are also integral, ensuring the policy remains adaptive and responsive to technological advancements and emerging challenges.

The policy acknowledges the significance of emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), blockchain, robotics, big data, machine learning, and quantum computing, in driving digital transformation and socioeconomic growth. It highlights how these technologies are integral to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), which is reshaping interactions between the physical, digital, and biological worlds.

The policy emphasises the need for Zambia to adopt these technologies to enhance productivity, improve service delivery, and create new economic opportunities. It recognises that while these advancements present significant growth opportunities, they also bring challenges like data privacy, information security, and e-waste management that need to be addressed.

To leverage these technologies, the policy outlines objectives that include promoting research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the ICT sector. It supports the adoption of local ICT solutions and aims to facilitate an environment conducive to innovation. The policy also highlights the importance of building digital skills to support the integration of these emerging technologies into various sectors, thereby ensuring Zambia’s digital economy is competitive and aligned with global trends.

The policy seeks to transform Zambia into a digitally enabled society, capable of leveraging ICT for improved governance, economic growth, and overall societal welfare, while maintaining a balance between progress and security.