Minister of Science and Technology, Felix Mutati has commended Airtel Zambia for its significant investment of US$107 million aimed at expanding network infrastructure through the construction of additional towers nationwide.
Speaking during a tour at Nyumba yanga and Chalala Network tower sites, Felix Mutati expressed optimism that the investment will improve the network in the country and create more tax revenue for the government to keep powering development in the country.
The media reports that Mr Mutati disclosed that the US$107 million investment will go towards the construction of 406 network sites, a move expected to significantly enhance the quality of connectivity and service delivery across the country.
Mr Mutati said the investment will boost employment in Zambia by creating jobs for local people, while also spurring additional opportunities in related industries that will support skills development and wider economic growth.
The Minister disclosed that the construction of network towers no longer requires approval from the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), a process that previously took nearly six months to complete.
“We are moving with urgency to provide our people with high-quality network services,” Mr Mutati said.
The Minister applauded Airtel Zambia for investing in solar energy, noting that the initiative helps tackle the country’s power challenges and keeps network towers operational around the clock.
Meanwhile, Airtel Zambia’s Managing Director, Hussam Baday, disclosed that 126 out of the planned 406 sites have already been constructed and are now fully operational.
He stated that all sites are expected to be completed by March next year, emphasising that the company’s engineers are fully capable of meeting the deadline.
He also revealed that the $107 million investment marks Airtel Zambia’s largest single-year expenditure, underscoring the company’s commitment to closing the country’s digital divide.
Mr Hussam assured customers that the investment was driven by the company’s awareness of concerns over poor network quality and their commitment to addressing them.
The move follows increasing public dissatisfaction with Airtel’s network services across the country, as customers have raised complaints about frequent disruptions and poor connectivity, prompting the company to invest heavily in improving its infrastructure.
