Zambian president Edgar Lungu said the country has saved approximately K16.8 million per annum on the cost of internet services as a result of having established a wide area network to facilitate its e-government programme.

The country's e-government programme became operational last year with a view of eliminating wasteful use of limited resources in public institutions.

The government hired state-owned telecom operator, the Zambia Telecommunication Company (Zamtel) to provide internet support for the provision for e-government services.

Lungu said the country would continue to enhance e-government as a critical component of its transformational culture for a smart Zambia. "Our people are now able to access some government services and information online without having to queue or wait for months to be served. The services include passports and title deeds. In addition it provides payment for selected public services, registration of companies as well as filing of annual returns."

Under the Zambian e-government programme, all government ministries and parastatals must keep their websites updated weekly in order to provide up-to-date and accurate information on the implementation of government policies, programmes and services provided by the institutions.

To achieve the e-government programme, the government has also directed civil servants to acquire sufficient computer skills to enable them work with applicable software, such as Microsoft word, excel and outlook, within the framework of the Microsoft enterprise agreement it has in place.