President Hichilema calls for digital growth to boost economy

President Hakainde Hichilema says the digital sector in the country has a special responsibility to deliver economic growth.

President Hichilema says universal access to digital services such as internet connectivity is vital for the growth of businesses and ultimately, the economy.

Mr Hichilema further emphasised the need to normalise the use of digital platforms by government in order to improve service delivery.

He added that this would in turn promote growth for the digital sector such as mobile network and internet service providers in the country, thereby contributing to more jobs and economic growth.

The head of State was speaking when a delegation from the Payment Association of Zambia paid a courtesy call on him at State House, in Lusaka.

“Connectivity is important for your businesses, MTN, ZAMTEL, and AIRTEL, to operate, to expand. You need connectivity and so we need to continue to embrace the package of components that make this thing work”, President Hichilema stressed.

And Payments Association of Zambia Representative, Komba Malukutila has disclosed that the value of mobile money transactions has grown from 22.2 billion kwacha in 2018, to 452 billion kwacha in 2023.

Mr Malukutila added that mobile money wallet registrations in the country have also increased from 3.1 million, in 2018, to 15 million, contributing to increased financial inclusion especially for those in rural communities.

Mr Malukutila has since reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to supporting government’s development agenda under the eighth national development plan, which targets 85 percent financial inclusion by 2028.

“As an industry, we recognise and acknowledge the tremendous strides that the government has made in stabilising the economy and promoting the growth of digital financial services and consequently, the growth of financial inclusion,” he stated.

Earlier, Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati disclosed that reforms introduced by government in the digital sector such as the removal of duty on digital infrastructure has contributed to growth in the sector.

Mr Mutati noted that Zambia has seen significant investment in the digital sector, with 407 network towers expected to be set up by the private sector, this year alone.

He further revealed that the public sector is upgrading 1200 towers from second Generation (2G) to fourth Generation (4G).