Zambia Celebrates Innovation at 2024 Young Innovators ICT Program

Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, has praised the country’s strides in innovation during the 2024 Young Innovators ICT Innovation Program held in Lusaka. The event celebrated the ingenuity of young innovators, with Michael Sichilongo winning first prize for developing a digital app that uses body gestures to assist people with physical challenges. Mutati highlighted Zambia’s growing innovation ecosystem, underpinned by government investments in digital infrastructure, including nationwide tower installations.

Mutati commended key initiatives like the UNDP-backed Timbuktoo program, where Zambia will focus on “Mine Tech” to enhance copper production. He also acknowledged startup successes like “Lead Ebusaka,” a digital waste management platform, and emphasized the role of public-private partnerships, citing collaborations with Airtel, Stanbic, and ZICTA.

ZICTA’s ongoing support for young innovators has fostered over 450 startups, with 40 receiving direct financial aid. Other notable awardees included projects addressing hearing impairments, AI-driven medical services, and visual operations simulations. Airtel and Stanbic executives reinforced their commitment to fostering digital transformation and entrepreneurship, underscoring the private sector’s pivotal role in Zambia’s innovation journey.