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The government and private sector are reportedly constructing 520 communication towers nationwide, targeting 96 percent phone and internet coverage by the end of 2025.
Technology and Science Minister, Felix Mutati, stated that the government was constructing 340 communication towers, while the private sector was adding another 180 towers.
Once fully operational, these towers would increase the total number of communication towers to 900 across the country.
Mutati made the announcement at Kabanga Primary School in Itezhi-Tezhi District, Southern Province, during the commissioning of a new communication tower.
Read more: Minister Mutati confident improved connectivity will lower cost of business, boost trade in Africa
“The construction of communication towers aims to help Zambians utilize online services offered by the government. Services such as the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP), Social Cash Transfer, and others are easily accessible on the internet using a phone.
“Here in Kabanga, we know you are cattle farmers, and we want you to have easy access to the market and buyers using phones. We have brought this tower so that we can help you do business on your phones,” he said.
Mutati also announced that some communication towers with 2G networks in Itezhi-Tezhi would be upgraded to 4G to provide internet services to the locals.
Technology and Science Permanent Secretary Brilliant Habeenzu stated that his ministry was working with Members of Parliament to identify areas needing phone service connections.
He mentioned that Members of Parliament knew their areas well and were submitting names of places to be prioritized for connectivity.
Meanwhile, Itezhi-Tezhi Member of Parliament Twaambo Mutinta said the construction of the Kabanga communication towers would benefit locals who have been climbing trees and hills to access the phone network.
Mutinta highlighted that Itezhi-Tezhi District is the least connected in terms of phone and internet services in Southern Province.
“The district has 10 communication towers, of which seven are functional, and only two offer 4G networks.
The coming of this tower would help our 30,000 farmers access FISP, our 41,000 pupils learn ICT and our 6,000 elderly people access social cash transfers,” he said.
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