Felix Mutati, Zambia's minister of technology and science, commended the country's state-owned telecom, Zamtel, for its role in launching the COMESA digital Retail Payment Platform (DRPP) at the 24th Heads of State and Government Summit in Nairobi last week.
According to a ministry statement, the platform is more than just a technologi-cal triumph; it is a powerful confirmation government's economic and digital goals, led by President Hakainde Hichilema.
The telco, which previously experienced financial troubles, managed to settle its long standing statutory debts with tax and pension authorities, will be a crucial partner in pilot phase of the platform, connecting Zambia with Malawi.
Mutati said aggressive debt restructuring and asset rationalisation undertaken by its new leadership, driven by the president’s emphasis on fiscal discipline and corporate efficiency, have transformed Zamtel from a technically insolvent entity into a profitable, high-performing corporate citizen, making it an ideal partner for the project.
Clearing legacy debt has freed up the capital and capacity needed for the firm to become a regional technological leader, he added
He went on to say the Ministry of Technology and Science has been given a mandate to transform the Southern African country into a thriving digital economy by leveraging technology, fostering innovation, and ensuring no citizen is left behind
The mandate, which is codified in the National Digital Transformation Strategy, rests on pillars of digital infrastructure, digital platforms, and digital financial services, Zamtel’s participation in the COMESA DRPP embodies the fulfilment of this mandate, he said.
”Zamtel has moved from recording debilitating losses to achieving positive equity and sustained profitability, giving it the capacity to undertake essential network upgrades and massive national expansion.”
Regarding the DRPP, the minister highlighted that it directly addresses the core struggles of micro, small, and medium enterprises by enabling instant, affordable, and secure cross-border payments in local currency.
“This shields our traders from the crippling effects of currency volatility and reduces the cost of doing business, directly aligning with president Hichilema’s call for enhanced intra-African trade and seamless border systems powered by digital technology.”
He continued: “By deploying this first of its kind system in the COMESA region, Zamtel has immediately elevated Zambia’s position as a hub for digital finance and innovation. This confirms our collective ambition to be a connected, transparent, and technology-enabled nation that fully participates in the global digital economy.”
The member of parliament concluded by calling for urgent regulatory and tax harmony to ensure the platform can operate at full regional scale, eliminating the silos that have hindered African economic integration for too long.
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