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The World Bank has committed US$100 million to expedite Zambia’s digitization infrastructure and expand internet access.
Visiting World Bank Managing Director and Chief Administration Officer, Wengcai Zhang, announced the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) during a courtesy call on Technology and Science Minister, Felix Mutati in Lusaka on Friday.
The US$100 million DZAP will be financed through a combination of national and regional International Development Association (IDA) funds.
Additionally, US$20 million in unguaranteed commercial financing will be provided to further enhance internet access and digital services.
Aligned with government priorities, the project will focus on expanding broadband, last-mile infrastructure, and digital public infrastructure to improve efficiencies in both the public and private sectors.
It would also support digitalization in high-impact sectors and develop employment-ready digital skills.
The World Bank Board is expected to approve the project in March 2025, with a Project Preparation Advance of $6 million already allocated for preparatory activities.
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A Project Implementation Unit would be established within the Smart Zambia Institute to lead cross-cutting government digitization initiatives.
Zhang also expressed support for Zambia hosting the World Skills Africa Competition in Livingstone in April 2025, highlighting its significance.
Minister Mutati thanked the World Bank for the US$6 million Project Preparation Advance, noting that the project would promote national digitization and bridge the gap in the Technical Education, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) sector.
World Bank Zambia Country Manager, Achim Fock, and Director of Communication in the Ministry of Technology and Science, Milner Makuni, attended the meeting.
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