Lusaka, Zambia — President Hakainde Hichilema has positioned Zambia at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation, officially opening the Digital Government Africa Summit 2025, organized and hosted by Smart Zambia under the Office of the President. The summit brings together over 500 delegates from 30 countries, including global tech giants such as Visa, Oracle, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, to showcase innovation, investment opportunities, and inclusive digital services across the continent.
President Hichilema called on African nations to adopt first-grade digital technologies, stressing that Africa must leverage global research and innovation to drive competitiveness and sustainable growth. He highlighted how digital platforms can formalize economies, increase transaction volumes, and create jobs, while urging investment in infrastructure, particularly energy, to support digitization.
At the summit, Visa signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smart Zambia, strengthening the country’s digital payment systems and e-government capabilities. Other participating companies, including Altron Security, Laxton, NetOne Zambia, Toppan Security, SITA, and Ice Tech, also demonstrated cutting-edge solutions supporting Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
Smart Zambia National Coordinator, Percy Chinyama, reflected on the summit’s three-year journey, highlighting numerous deals that signal growing investment and collaboration across Africa. Drawing on economic analysis of participating countries’ GDPs, he projected the digital economy to grow 4.5% by 2026, 9.1% by 2030, and up to 13.2% if African borders were fully digitized, underscoring the continent’s immense potential for economic integration and growth.
Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, praised Smart Zambia’s Smart Village project, which provides internet, education, e-health, and electricity to rural communities, ensuring equal access to opportunities and fostering local enterprise. He emphasized plans to expand this model across Africa, transforming the continent into a network of connected smart villages.
From the private sector, Visa Vice President and Group Head for Africa, Aida Diarra, commended President Hichilema for his visionary leadership in advancing digital inclusion. He highlighted how the Zambian government, through Smart Zambia, has empowered citizens to access services and conduct transactions through secure digital platforms.
The Digital Government Africa Summit 2025, spearheaded by Smart Zambia, is more than a showcase of innovation — it is a catalyst for strategic partnerships, investment, and the advancement of digital services, positioning Zambia and Africa at the forefront of the global digital economy.
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