Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Copperbelt University (CBU) to develop and roll out an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system aimed at modernising airport operations and boosting efficiency.
The partnership will see CBU provide technical expertise in the design, development and deployment of a locally driven ERP solution tailored to ZACL’s operational needs.
This is according to a press statement issued to the media today by ZACL Senior Manager Corporate Affairs and Communication Mwamba Siame and CBU Public Relations Officer Christabel Malama.
Ms Siame said that the collaboration will focus on innovation, automation, business intelligence, artificial intelligence, institutional capacity building and systems integration.
ZACL Managing Director Urvesh Desai said the partnership is a strategic investment in Zambia’s digital future and local innovation capacity.
“At Zambia Airports Corporation Limited, we recognise that the future of aviation is digital, data-driven and innovation-led,” Mr Desai said.
“As we continue modernising our airports and operational systems, strategic partnerships such as this one with Copperbelt University have become critical in helping us deliver smarter, more efficient and customer-focused services, he added
He said the agreement shows ZACL’s confidence in local expertise to provide sustainable solutions.
“For us at ZACL, digital transformation is ultimately about improving passenger experience, strengthening operational excellence and positioning Zambia’s airports to compete effectively in a rapidly evolving global aviation environment and together, we are not just building systems; we are building a resource bank and local capacity,” he added
Meanwhile, Copperbelt University Vice Chancellor Professor Imasiku Nyambe said the partnership aligns with Government’s broader digital transformation agenda and the need for locally developed technological solutions.
“This MoU reflects a shared recognition that sustainable digital transformation must be locally driven, institutionally embedded, and aligned to Zambia’s broader National Digital Transformation Agenda,” Prof. Nyambe said.
He added that prioritising locally developed systems will reduce long term operational costs, build national technical capability, retain knowledge within institutions, and contribute to Zambia’s digital economy.
He added that under the agreement, the ERP implementation will be done in phases, it will start with core operational areas including Human Resources, Procurement, Finance, Capacity Building and Business Intelligence, before expanding to other business-critical functions.
The partnership reinforces ZACL’s commitment to leveraging strategic collaborations, innovation and technology to improve operational excellence, customer experience and long-term sustainability in Zambia’s aviation sector.
