Government announces massive infrastructure rollout and public-private partnerships to transform education access across the nation
Zambia is positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s digital education transformation with an ambitious roadmap unveiled at the EdTech and AI Indaba on August 27, 2025. The high-level forum, held at Mulungushi Conference Centre, brought together government officials, private sector leaders, and development partners to address one of the continent’s most pressing challenges: leveraging technology to democratize quality education.
Strategic Vision: AI as Educational Catalyst, Not Replacement
The event, jointly hosted by Hon. Felix Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, and Hon. Douglas Syakalima, Minister of Education, emphasized a nuanced approach to educational technology integration. Rather than viewing AI as a disruptive force, Zambian leadership is positioning it as a strategic enabler.
“If used properly, it will deliver impactful results,” stated Hon. Mutati, outlining AI’s potential to liberate educators from administrative burdens while expanding access to learning resources and enhancing teaching effectiveness. This philosophy represents a measured approach that prioritizes human-centered education while harnessing technological capabilities.
Infrastructure Acceleration: The Foundation for Digital Learning
Central to Zambia’s strategy is an aggressive infrastructure deployment plan that promises to reshape the country’s digital landscape. Zamtel and the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) have committed to delivering over 5,000 computers across educational institutions in 2025, while Zamtel will simultaneously execute 1,200 network upgrades between 2025 and 2026.
This government-led initiative is being amplified by private sector expansion, with MTN and Airtel contributing parallel coverage improvements. The combined effort targets an ambitious 96% digital connectivity rate by 2026—a milestone that would place Zambia among Africa’s most connected nations and fundamentally transform educational access in rural and underserved communities.
Public-Private Partnerships: Scaling Through Collaboration
The Indaba highlighted successful collaborative models that are already demonstrating impact across the country. ICT hubs established in Itezhi-Tezhi, Chisamba, and Chongwe through partnerships with UNDP, Ecobank, and other development partners serve as proof-of-concept for scaled implementation.
Hon. Mutati emphasized the critical need for enhanced coordination among stakeholders to maximize resource efficiency and prevent duplicative efforts—a common challenge in multi-partner development initiatives across emerging markets.
Inclusion-First Approach to Educational Access
Hon. Syakalima articulated a pragmatic philosophy toward educational inclusion that prioritizes access over perfection: “It is better to bring two million children into school and later address delivery challenges, rather than leaving them on the streets.” This approach reflects a recognition that immediate access to education—even with imperfect delivery mechanisms—creates better long-term outcomes than delayed deployment of ideal systems.
Addressing the Digital Divide: Rural Connectivity and Skills Gaps
Despite the ambitious infrastructure plans, significant challenges remain that could impact implementation success. Rural internet penetration currently stands at just 50%, creating a substantial connectivity gap that must be addressed to achieve nationwide educational transformation.
Equally concerning is the digital skills deficit among educators themselves. With fewer than 40% of teachers possessing adequate digital competencies, successful technology integration will require comprehensive professional development programs alongside infrastructure deployment.
Strategic Priorities: The Three-Pillar Framework
Hon. Mutati concluded the Indaba by outlining three foundational priorities for Zambia’s digital education agenda:
Digital Equity: Ensuring technology access extends beyond urban centers to reach underserved communities AI as Development Accelerator: Leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance rather than replace human educational capabilities Strengthened Partnerships: Deepening collaboration between government, private sector, and international development organizations
“The most powerful tools we can use to change the world are Education, Knowledge, and Power,” Hon. Mutati emphasized. “AI, when properly applied, can unlock these tools to drive national progress.”
Looking Forward: Africa’s Digital Education Laboratory
Zambia’s comprehensive approach to educational technology integration positions the country as a potential model for other African nations grappling with similar challenges. The combination of aggressive infrastructure investment, strategic AI implementation, and inclusion-focused policies could provide valuable lessons for continental education transformation.
Success will ultimately depend on execution—particularly in addressing the rural connectivity gap and rapidly scaling teacher digital literacy programs. If Zambia can deliver on its 2026 connectivity targets while building educator capacity, it could emerge as a leading example of how emerging markets can leverage technology to leapfrog traditional educational constraints.
The EdTech and AI Indaba represents more than a policy announcement; it signals Zambia’s commitment to positioning education technology as a cornerstone of national development strategy in an increasingly digital global economy.
