The European Union (EU), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has handed over information and communication technology (ICT) equipment to Zambia’s Ministry of Technology and Science and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security under the Skills Development for Increased Employability Programme (SDEP).
The handover ceremony, held at the ILO Country Office on Tuesday, highlighted Zambia’s push to advance digital transformation, skills development, labour market modernisation and public service delivery.
In a statement, the Ministry of Technology and Science said the initiative demonstrates the importance of strategic partnerships in strengthening institutional capacity, improving labour market systems and equipping Zambia’s workforce with market-relevant skills needed to support economic growth, industrialisation and productivity.
Brilliant Habeenzu, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Technology, thanked the EU and ILO for supporting Zambia's skills development strategy through SDEP.
He said the partnership continues to strengthen the ministry’s ability to coordinate, monitor and support national skills development initiatives.
Habeenzu added that the ICT equipment — including laptops, desktop computers, monitors, printers and internet connectivity support — would improve the ministry’s operational efficiency and programme delivery capacity.
He also said the government cannot address the country’s development challenges alone, underlining the importance of partnerships with the private sector and development partners.
According to Habeenzu, the EU and ILO are helping to strengthen Zambia’s digital infrastructure and skills development systems through targeted investments.
Similarly, Zechariah Luhanga, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, commended the ICT equipment handover as timely and transformative, especially given the ministry's labour and social security reforms.
Luhanga said the partnership with the EU and ILO has delivered practical outcomes beyond symbolic support.
He said the ministry had received servers, laptops, desktop computers and printers that would improve operational efficiency, staff productivity and service delivery.
Luhanga also urged ministry staff to ensure proper use and maintenance of the equipment, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to collaboration with development partners on labour reforms and digital transformation initiatives.
Meanwhile, Wellington Chibebe, ILO country director for Zambia and Malawi, affirmed the organisation's commitment to assisting Zambia's skills development and labour market systems through collaboration with the government and cooperating partners.
Chibebe said the investment reflects the shared commitment of the EU, ILO and the Zambian government to strengthening institutional capacity, improving coordination and supporting evidence-based decision-making in skills development and labour market systems.
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