Zambia’s new President Hakainde Hichilema said his government will formulate policies to promote the development of technology, support the digital evolution and attract investment into the country’s telecommunications industry over the next five years.

During his inauguration speech on 24 August, Hichilema said the policies will favour private sector investment in telecommunications and the media in order to promote economic development.

He added that investment in technology and telecommunications is critical because it will create employment, especially for the youth.

Hichilema said his government will prioritise investment from within the region (the Southern Africa Development Community) and from within Africa, before looking for investment further afield.

“Some of our key priority sectors that will drive economic growth and reduce poverty are technology, agriculture, financial services, health, education and mining,” he said.

Alfred Zulu, a senior telecommunications researcher at Computer Association of Zambia said over the years, Zambia has not attracted serious investment in telecommunications because of a lack of political will.

“It is gratifying to note that President Hichilema has put technology as one of the pillars of the country’s economic development agenda. Zambians are eagerly waiting to see the fulfilment of what the president has promised. Investment in the telecommunications sector is what this country has been yearning for years,” said Zulu.