Zambia Advances AI Strategy with National Conference on Innovation and Development
By bringing together researchers, innovators, and policymakers, IndabaX Zambia 2025 marks a decisive step toward building an AI ecosystem that reflects local values, addresses national challenges, and empowers communities across the country.
Zambia convened the Deep Learning IndabaX 2025 at the Urban Hotel in Lusaka, bringing together leading artificial intelligence (AI) experts and innovators under the theme “Holding Hands for Zambia’s AI Future Together.” The event showcased Zambia’s commitment to positioning itself as a regional hub for ethical, inclusive, and locally relevant AI innovation.
The two-day gathering highlighted Zambia’s progress in AI adoption across key sectors. In healthcare, AI-powered tools like Dawa Health are improving maternal outcomes through intelligent triage systems. In mining, AI-driven exploration by Kobold Metals identified a promising copper deposit at Mingomba. Agriculture is also benefiting, with AI-enabled advisory tools boosting crop yields by 20–30% in areas affected by climate variability.
The conference underscored the National AI Strategy (2024–2026), which provides a framework for Zambia’s AI-driven transformation. Anchored on six pillars—policy and regulation, human capital development, infrastructure and data ecosystems, research and innovation, sectoral integration, and international partnerships—the strategy aims to increase STEM participation from 23% to 40% by 2030, expand internet access to 75%, and drive productivity gains across agriculture, manufacturing, and financial services.
Responsible AI remains a central focus, with an emphasis on fairness, transparency, accountability, and the protection of citizen rights. Gender inclusion was highlighted as critical, with efforts underway to increase the participation of women, currently 28% of Zambia’s technology workforce, in AI research, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
The IndabaX Zambia 2025 also reinforced the government’s commitment to supporting AI commercialization, building advanced digital infrastructure, and fostering global partnerships. The event served as a platform to translate research into practical solutions, strengthen national development, and ensure that Zambian innovators play an active role in shaping the AI revolution.
By bringing together researchers, innovators, and policymakers, IndabaX Zambia 2025 marks a decisive step toward building an AI ecosystem that reflects local values, addresses national challenges, and empowers communities across the country.
