Zambia urged to Invest in Home-Grown Technology.

The Zambian government has issued a strong call to action for heightened investment in home-grown technological solutions, positioning digital innovation and artificial intelligence as critical drivers for sustainable job creation and economic transformation. Speaking during a prominent technology exhibition in Lusaka, government representatives underscored that the nation must pivot away from being a mere consumer of foreign-developed software and hardware. Instead, Zambia must foster a vibrant ecosystem where local developers, start-ups, and academic institutions actively design tailored technological solutions suited to the country's socio-economic landscape. At the core of this digital push is the strategic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to address practical infrastructural and operational bottlenecks. Stakeholders at the forum highlighted ongoing pilot initiatives, including collaborations with utility providers like the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company, aimed at deploying AI frameworks to detect pipeline leakages, optimize metering, and close billing gaps. By leveraging machine learning and data analytics, public and private entities aim to curtail massive resource losses, thereby enhancing institutional efficiency and resource management across urban and rural sectors. Despite the optimistic outlook, experts have pointed out structural hurdles that continue to stifle the local tech ecosystem. Access to affordable venture capital, specialized digital skills training, and robust infrastructure remain limited for many young innovators outside major metropolitan hubs. To bridge this gap, the Ministry of Technology and Science has stressed the necessity of forging resilient triple-helix partnerships—bringing together universities, research bodies, and the private sector—to successfully commercialize research and scale home-grown products into viable market offerings. International development partners have also echoed these sentiments, no