Zambia Calls for AfDB Partnership to Build AI-Focused Polytechnics and Innovation Hub
The appeal is part of Zambia’s broader effort to equip its workforce with future-ready skills in emerging technologies—particularly artificial intelligence (AI)—to enhance productivity in key economic sectors such as mining and agriculture.
Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science, Felix C. Mutati, has called on the African Development Bank (AfDB) to strengthen its partnership with the country by supporting the establishment of AI-driven polytechnics and the University of Zambia’s (UNZA) Innovation Village (I-Village). The appeal is part of Zambia’s broader effort to equip its workforce with future-ready skills in emerging technologies—particularly artificial intelligence (AI)—to enhance productivity in key economic sectors such as mining and agriculture.
The Minister made the appeal during a visit by AfDB Senior Vice President, Ms. Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, to the University of Zambia, where stakeholders celebrated the successful completion of the Bank’s Skills and Training Enhancement Project (STEP). Launched in 2013 with an investment of $29.4 million, STEP has significantly upgraded Zambia’s higher education infrastructure and capacity, leaving what both sides described as a lasting legacy in the country’s education and skills ecosystem.
According to UNZA Vice Chancellor, Professor Mundia Muya, the STEP project modernized lecture theaters and introduced advanced laboratory equipment in the Schools of Engineering and Mines, allowing the university to expand industry collaboration and generate income through commercial testing services. The Minister noted that the project benefitted more than 150,000 students, with over 11,400 scholarships awarded—24% of them to women—advancing gender inclusion in STEM disciplines. Professor Muya added that the investment also enabled the university to meet the requirements of the Higher Education Act of 2021, by increasing the number of academic staff with PhD qualifications.
Ms. Akin-Olugbade described the project as having made a “lasting legacy” in education and skills development, emphasizing that “investing in people is the surest path to driving Africa’s growth.” Looking ahead, both parties agreed that the next phase of collaboration must focus on emerging technologies and innovation to meet Zambia’s ambitious Vision 2031 targets—producing 3 million tons of copper and 10 million tons of agricultural output.
Minister Mutati outlined two strategic priorities for AfDB’s future support. The first is Innovation Hub Support, backing UNZA’s proposed Innovation Village (I-Village) to create a dynamic ecosystem linking academia, government, and industry for technology-driven research and entrepreneurship. The second is Polytechnic Development, where the government seeks AfDB’s partnership to build new institutions focused on technical and vocational training aligned with AI and digital technologies.
Mutati emphasized Zambia’s readiness for a new model of partnership, stating that “the old Africa of gifts is long gone.” He assured development partners that Zambia is prepared to co-invest in future projects to ensure sustainability and ownership. Echoing this, Professor Muya said the proposed Innovation Village will focus on transformative sectors such as Agritech, Healthtech, Fintech, and Precision Mining, aligning the university’s work with Zambia’s Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The visit and discussions reaffirm Zambia’s commitment to leveraging partnerships, innovation, and digital transformation to prepare its citizens for the evolving global economy.
