Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Elias Mubanga says the Zambian government is committed to developing policies that foster an ecosystem of innovation and process, ensuring the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is both ethical and inclusive.
Mr Mubanga says the government wants to ensure that micro, small and medium enterprises and cooperatives have access to the digital infrastructure, skills and tools needed to harness the power of AI.
Mr Mubanga said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Ministry’s Assistant Director for Business Development and Grants, Chinyanta Chikula, at the 8th Zambia E-Commerce Expo and Conference in Lusaka.
The Minister added that e-commerce has transformed the way of doing business, becoming a dominant force in almost every industry.
Mr Mubanga stated that the convergence of e-commerce and AI, therefore presents an exceptional opportunity not only to accelerate economic growth but also redefine trade and innovation to compete on the global stage.
“Digital Commerce is the vehicle, but AI is the powerful engine that will propel us forward.
It enables Zambian businesses to scale up intelligently, breaking down barriers to cross border tradeable creating high-value jobs for our youths” Mr Mubanga said.
He commended the ERITE for organising an event aimed at promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing and partnerships among diverse industry segments and creating a platform for E-Commerce players to connect.
EAfrica Research Institute for Technology and Economics (ERITE) Board Chairperson Caleb Fundanga used the opportunity to commend the government for its decision to fund over 80 percent of the 2026 national budget with local revenues.
Dr Fundanga who is former Bank of Zambia Governor said its a record breaking decision that has never happened before, while commending the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) for its contributions.
And, Dr Fundanga stated the conference theme, shaping Africa’s digital future in the age of AI ensures that the continent becomes an active architect of its own digital destiny.
He noted the need to build robust infrastructure to support the data-intensive demands of technology.
“The conference was designed to equip participants with insights, connections and aspiration needed to navigate through the digital world,” Dr Fundanga said.
Zambia to harness that same AI that is taking jobs away from human workers? We need a serious rethink as Zambia has a serious jobs gap for youths .Exporting maids like Ethiopia,Kenya and Philippines have done is NOT the way.
Imwe lekeni ubupuba. You want to build a digital AI economy when you have failed to build a mineral and agriculture economy? Umukuba wabafye mpanga yonse, and people don’t see the benefits. The audacity to lie. Is UPND a party built on lies?
Says the person who told us the late president ECL was not constitutionally obliged to declare his assets ??? Only HH…….
How old are you to say that ? 15 ? Or you are a very du,ll adult………..
FW2041
When your father or uncle was in power, weren’t present already?
You can not build a robust economy on load shedding. Sort out the basics first before trying to excite the public with 21st century jargon. Ai + Data = Power.. How do you access digital services when 90% of the country is on load shedding during critical business hours? Ushe ku sikulu muyendelako chani? (What’s the purpose of education if a government minister can come up with such?)
Very true MwanaZed ,especially when you consider just one medium sized data center uses about 45MW of power.
Maybe LT should try to go beyond publishing ministerial press releases and presenting such as “news”. Ask ChatGPT to add relevant content, statistics and other context around the press release then at least it will be more than “Today, the Minister for XYZ has said:”
As citizens, we listen, scrutinize, and hold our leaders to account not by partisan rhetoric alone but through the measurable outcomes of policy actions that improve the daily lives of ordinary Zambians. The journey toward a more innovative, digital, and prosperous Zambia requires persistence, transparency, and shared responsibility across government, industry, and the communities they serve.
As we head into election season, can Lusaka Times investigate and report on what happened with the Jerabos matter in relation to the government’s AI and digital economy commitments? The public deserves clarity on how past security and governance concerns are being addressed as policies push for an inclusive, AI-driven economy.
Just people coming together for free meals and drinks. Nothing much will happen after this.
GRZ can’t end cholera , garbage collection is epileptic ,load shedding is never ending nightmare and corruption is endemic…much simpler problems to fix yet they think they can handle AI with its gazillion complex parts and ten thousand miles of cables?