Targeting high-tech sectors and satellite innovation, Zambia and Israel have entered a pact designed to increase strategic cooperation.
This follows a meeting between Zambia’s minister of technology and science, Felix Mutati and Ofra Farhi, ambassador of Israel, this week.
According to the ministry, Mutati highlighted Zambia’s commitment to building a vibrant innovation ecosystem, and wants to draw lessons from Israel’s model of entrepreneurship, and technological advancement.
He highlighted the importance of mentorship and capacity-building initiatives to empower young Zambian entrepreneurs. Engagements with Israeli counterparts are scheduled later this month to determine areas and plans for this collaboration.
Discussions on satellite technology were also held but were a revisit to a topic previously broached two years ago.
Mutati asked to increase collaboration, particularly around Zambia’s Remote Sensing Centre, which, under the ministry, is working to create and advance satellite applications and leverage space-based technologies for national development.
The minister also hopes the collaboration can assist the country’s ambition to scale up mining production, which he reasons, requires a highly skilled and technologically proficient workforce. He also highlighted the need for specialised skills to address the Southern African country’s energy deficit and modernise the agricultural sector.
For her part, Ambassador Farhi highlighted the renewed bilateral relations following the opening of embassies and high-level presidential exchanges.
She observed growing interest within Israel to deepen engagement with Zambia and to implement practical cooperation programmes that support development priorities.
Fahri welcomed the proposed areas of cooperation, expressing strong support for partnerships in capacity building, technology development, mentorship of young entrepreneurs, satellite innovation, and cybersecurity.
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