Felix Mutati, Zambia's minister of technology and science, has urged the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support an initiative that would provide the country's workforce with critical skills in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, which are critical to strengthening the country's key economic pillars of mining and agriculture.
He urged the AfDB to continue working with Zambia to establish new polytechnic institutions and promote the University of Zambia's (UNZA) proposed Innovation Village.
Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, senior vice president of the African Development Bank, was visiting UNZA when Mutati spoke.
The visit also celebrated the effective completion of the Skills and Training Enhancement Project (STEP), a $29.4 million investment initiated in 2013 with AfDB assistance.
The initiative modernised UNZA's learning infrastructure and increased access to technical education in the country.
"Investing in people is the surest path to driving Africa's growth," Akin-Olugbade said.
Mutati stated that the investment increased access to skills for an extra 150,000 students and gave scholarships to over 11,400 students.
He pointed out that 24 percent of the beneficiaries are female, which is consistent with Zambia's efforts to reduce the gender skills gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Mutati additionally reached out for help in the UNZA i-Village, where the university intends to create a vibrant hub that connects academia, industry, and government.
"A partnership with the AfDB would build a crucial polytechnic designed to drive the national vision through skills powered by emerging technologies including AI," he said.
Professor Mundia Muya, UNZA Vice Chancellor, emphasised that assistance for the i-Village would boost innovation in key fields such as agri-tech, health-tech, fintech, and precision mining.
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