The Zambian government and Huawei Technologies have collaborated to launch a digital innovation leadership programme to empower youth with sought-after digital skills and accelerate digital transformation within the Southern African country.

Huawei has committed to spend ZMK20-million to provide ICT training to 5,000 students and 50 instructors across institutions.

The company has also pledged to construct a premier digital innovation hub and establish a Digital Innovation Scholarship Fund under the patronage of President Hakainde Hichilema, benefiting 50 students each year over the next four years.

Hichilema said: “The initiative by Huawei is commendable and will go a long way in offering deserving students good opportunity and tapping into the talents and creativity of Zambians and help our nation evolve into a 21st century country and economy.”

Huawei president for Southern Africa region Leo Chen said the provisions of skills and development of talents sits at the centre of development of ICT, which plays a critical role in transforming the economy.

Chen said, “Huawei sees itself as a part of Zambia’s future and youth is the future. To leapfrog Zambia into a prosperous digital future, we need to equip and empower Zambian youths with digital skills to be more employable and competitive, by integrating in ICTs into both learning content and ways of delivery of education. As a global ICT company operating in Zambia for the last 18 years, Huawei is always prepared to do more on that. ”

Last year, Hichilema established a new Ministry of Technology and Science and vowed his administration would promote the development of technology, support the digital evolution and attract investment into the country’s telecommunication industry over the next five years.