Zambia has allocated K22 million (US$839 000) to fund innovators and inventors to actualise their prototypes aimed at addressing prevailing national challenges.

Projects aiming to address the energy deficit and climate change and drought are on top of the list and those run by youth will also be prioritised.

“There is a lot of creativity and expertise which can be utilised to address many pressing issues in the country,” Felix Mutati, the Science and Technology Minister, said.

He was speaking in the capital Lusaka, where he presided over the Consultative Workshop on the Development of a Generic Commercialisation and Technology Transfer Framework.

The minister added, “The government is committed to ensuring that innovation thrives and helps young people actualise products which can sell and be a solution to challenges in society.”

Mutati singled out the worst drought in years that Zambia is experiencing, as an issue that needs innovations to solve.

The dry spell is blamed on climate change, in a country that also faces intermittent flooding.

“Zambia needs innovative technologies which can be deployed to withstand the effects of climate change,” he said.

Eight African countries are participating at the two day workshop Mutati officially opened on Wednesday.

The National Science and Technology Council is organising the event.

– CAJ News