Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati has reaffirmed government’s commitment to driving inclusive innovation and technology growth across the country, as Zambia prepares to host Its Kopala 2025 Innovation and Technology Summit on the Copperbelt in November this year.
Speaking during Its Kopala 2025, Innovation and Technology Summit media briefing in Lusaka, Mr Mutati said the event aims to bring together over 500 participants from across Zambia’s startup and innovation ecosystem including founders, investors, academia and private sector partners.
He said the initiative, spearheaded by the National Technology Business Centre (NTBC) and the Finnish Government builds on the success of last year’s inaugural Innovation and Technology Summit Zambia (ITS-Zed), which has now evolved into a regional platform that promotes collaboration, investment and homegrown innovation.
“ITS-Kopala is riding on our ministry’s mandate to promote innovation, it will bring together the public and private sector startups, founders, investors and ecosystem enablers under one roof, in order to drive Zambia’s digital and technological transformation”, he said.
Mr Mutati commended NTBC and the Finnish Government for adhering to his earlier policy directive to make the summit an annual and inclusive event and for taking it to the Copperbelt Province this year.
“You have demonstrated inclusion by taking this event to Copperbelt”, he said.
He highlighted that through the Support from NTBC, the government has forged strategic partnerships with innovation hubs, academic institutions, investors and private sector players through Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at supporting startups and innovators.
Meanwhile, the Finnish Ambassador to Zambia Saana Halinen says that her country is excited to support all Zambian start-ups innovators and entrepreneurs.
” We support the development and growth of the impact of investment ecosystems in Zambia and display Zambia as an Investment destination for both national and international investors”, she said.
She further encouraged diverse participation from different stakeholders, groups, saying innovation and technology benefits all individuals, ages, origins and social classes.
National Technology Business Centre (NTBC) Director Hachoombwa Ng’andu noted that stakeholders should collaborate in order to achieve and promote start-up innovators, that will offer digital solutions countrywide.
He has since reaffirmed that NTBC will work with government and other stakeholders in order to achieve its mandate to facilitate technology.
