Zambia Advances Digital Inclusion with Huawei’s Smart Village Support
Huawei donates smartboards to Zambia's Ministry of Local Government, advancing digital inclusion, e-services, and rural development under the government’s Smart Village and Vision 2030 initiatives.
Huawei Technologies-Zambia has handed over two (2) S2 65-Inch Hubs (Smart-boards) to Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), aimed at supporting efforts by the Zambian Government in pioneering digital transformation to actualize Zambias e-governance Vision by 2030.
Early this year, the Zambian Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Huawei to construct Smart Villages across the Country, with His Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, launching the first-ever Smart Village at Muchila Village in Namwala District.
The Smart Village Concept seeks to accelerate social-economic development in rural areas through digital inclusion. A smart Village comes with a communication tower, a solar system capable of powering up to 100 homes and other digital capabilities such as education and health services.
Speaking during the handed over of the two (2) S2 65-Inch Hubs at MLGRD, Huawei-Zambia Managing Director Ms. Bette Chen said the Company is committed to supporting Zambias digital transformation in order to empower more citizens in accessing e-services in urban and rural areas through digital inclusion.
Ms. Chen said that Huawei is encouraged by the Governments efforts to invest in technology, and that the Company is also increasing its support to help deliver more e-services such as e-payment platforms by Local Authorities.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the Ministry, Permanent Secretary (Administration) Mr Maambo Haamaundu commended Huawei for continuing to provide appropriate technical and capacity building support to the Zambian Government to accelerate development in rural areas through digital inclusion
Mr Haamaundu said the partnership in enhancing digital transformation is critical particularly that Government is creating a digitally inclusive society that promotes digital innovations especially in rural areas as well as capacitating Local Authorities.
He further stated that the Government is committed to reducing the rural-urban social-economic development inequality, which could be attained through increased investment in digital transformation and inclusivity.
The Permanent Secretary said such an agenda is in line with the Ministrys mandate to promote rural development for improved quality of life among citizens in rural areas.
