Brave Heart News | 14th July 2026
Zambia has joined efforts with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the World Bank to promote responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and strengthen digital transformation across the region.
The Ministry of Technology and Science, in collaboration with COMESA and the World Bank, has launched an AI Sensitisation Workshop in Lusaka under the Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme.
The workshop, which was officially opened by Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary Eng. Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, is aimed at building awareness, strengthening institutional capacity and gathering stakeholder input towards the development of regional AI policies and regulatory frameworks.
Speaking during the event, COMESA Secretariat representative Leonard Chitundu said the engagements will help create a coordinated regional approach to Artificial Intelligence by combining awareness, capacity building and consultations.
Mr. Chitundu said AI and emerging technologies have the potential to improve public service delivery, increase productivity, promote innovation and support cross-border digital services.
He however noted that countries must address challenges surrounding data governance, ethical AI use, cybersecurity, consumer protection, skills development and regulatory preparedness.
Meanwhile, Dr. Habeenzu said Zambia and other COMESA member states need harmonised policies to fully benefit from the opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence.
He highlighted that AI is already transforming key sectors such as agriculture through predictive analytics, healthcare through diagnostic support systems, education through adaptive learning technologies and finance through digital inclusion solutions.
Dr. Habeenzu said Artificial Intelligence could contribute significantly to economic growth, citing projections that AI could add more than US$15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with Africa potentially benefiting about US$1.2 trillion if adoption is accelerated responsibly.
He warned that without proper policies and regulations, countries risk fragmented approaches and missed opportunities in the digital economy.
The Permanent Secretary said the workshop will help identify Zambia’s policy and institutional gaps, develop recommendations for a regional AI strategy and identify areas where AI can have the greatest impact.
He added that Zambia continues to invest in digital transformation through expansion of broadband infrastructure, e-Government services, cybersecurity systems, digital identity and electronic payment platforms.
According to Dr. Habeenzu, mobile broadband penetration in Zambia increased to 72 percent in 2025 from below 40 percent a decade ago, while over 300 communication towers have been constructed since 2022 to improve connectivity.
The AI initiative is being implemented under the US$2.48 billion IDEA Programme supported by the World Bank, which is working with more than 15 countries to expand digital access, strengthen infrastructure and promote digital inclusion.
Dr. Habeenzu said the programme will ensure participation of women, youths, persons with disabilities, rural communities and small and medium enterprises in the growing digital economy.
He further stressed that collaboration between governments, private sector players, academic institutions, civil society and development partners will be critical in building Africa’s digital future.
The recommendations from the consultations will contribute to Zambia’s national AI agenda and support the development of the COMESA Regional Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Digital Inclusion Strategy.
[Brave Heart News | UnlockingMind]
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