Zambia says its one-stop public electronic services platform has generated about K9.8 billion ($501.48 million) in revenue and grown to offer 572 services since its 2019 launch.
ZamPortal, as the platform is called, hosts these services across 52 service providers, has served more than 1.17 million customers and generated more than 6.66 million bills.
It started with a small catalogue of public electronic services and has since expanded significantly following its deployment by Smart Zambia Institute, the electronic government division.
Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, minister of finance and national planning, disclosed the figures during an engagement with the ministry's Information and Communications department, which he commended for helping expand the government's digital services.
He said that of the more than 570 services offered via ZamPortal, 394 are across central government and 178 across eight local authorities.
"The figures demonstrate a significant expansion in the government's digital footprint," the minister said on Wednesday.
ZamPortal serves as the primary digital gateway for citizens, immigrants, tourists and businesses to interact with the Zambian government, submit paperless applications and pay fees online 24/7.
Musokotwane said the digitalisation drive was being embedded in the government's medium-term fiscal framework.
The 2027–2029 Budget Call Circular to Ministries, Provinces and Agencies designates the Government Service Bus and Government Payment Gateway, being implemented by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning in collaboration with Smart Zambia Institute, as the government's centralised revenue-collection system.
The government has also provided indicative resources annually from 2027 through 2029 for development of the E-Payment System under the medium-term budget ceilings.
"Wider adoption of the systems will make government services more accessible and convenient while strengthening revenue collection, accounting, transparency and public financial management," Musokotwane said.
Speaking separately on Wednesday, during a visit to the United Arab Emirates, President Hakainde Hichilema called for accelerated digitalisation of government services to improve delivery. He was addressing a bilateral meeting with a delegation from the host government.
"Digital infrastructure should not be treated merely as an enabler, but as an integral part of government's efforts to serve citizens and create a more conducive environment for investment," Hichilema said.
ITWeb Africa reported in July that Zambia's digital payment platforms, including ZamPortal and ZamPay, had collected more than K8.8 billion by that point, with over 400 government services onboarded — figures that have since grown to the K9.8 billion and 572 services now reported by Musokotwane.
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