Zambia has bolstered efforts to strengthen digital connectivity and accelerate the digital transformation of the public sector through the deployment of 751 Starlink kits to health facilities across the country.
The Smart Zambia Institute (SZI), the administration’s electronic government division, commenced the project in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The deployment forms part of 751 kits earmarked for selected health facilities across all 10 provinces of the Southern African country, starting with 90 Starlink kits and accessories delivered to the Provincial Health Office in Western province.
The initiative aims to address connectivity challenges, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach areas, by providing reliable and high-speed internet connectivity to health facilities, says Brian Nawa Nawa, SZI assistant director for digital skills and capabilities.
“The deployment is expected to enhance access to digital health services, improve communication and information sharing, facilitate the use of electronic health information systems and strengthen the delivery of healthcare services,” Nawa Nawa says.
The intervention bridges the digital divide for remote clinics and deepens the partnership between the UNDP and Zambia to improve public service delivery through digital technologies.
Zambia approved Starlink’s operating licence in June 2023, and the service officially went live in October that year.
Since entering the market, SpaceX’s satellite internet service has expanded rapidly across Zambia’s public and enterprise sectors, including government-backed school connectivity projects and rural enterprise deployments aimed at overcoming terrestrial fibre gaps.
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