The government says it requires partnership of the private sector, academia, the civil society organizations in order to drive the agenda of enhancing digital economic for Zambia.
Speaking during the Digital Economic Diagnostic multi-stakeholder workshop in Lusaka today, Deputy Secretary to Cabinet Christopher Mvunga explains that online transactions as well as increasing players in the banking services will lead to financial inclusion among ordinary Zambians.
“Development of a tech-savvy population, with basic and advanced digital skills to support increased technology adoption and innovation. It is government’s aims to ensure that at the at the end of the primary schizophrenia education, all children possess at least basic skills digital skills which they can build on as they progress academically and /or entrepreneurially” he said.
Mr. Mvunga adds that the presence of an ecosystem that support firms and individuals to generate products and services should not only be available but also affordable.
“Availability of affordable, higher speed internet, which is instrumental to bringing mores people online and enabling government to have a wider reach to all our citizens in service delivery. The presence and usage of Digital Platforms that can support greater Digital exchange, transactions and access to public and private services online. Government is already working on establishing Digital identification which will improve the citizens access to government services and reduce instances of ID fraud” he added.
Speaking at the same workshop, World Bank Country Manager Sahr Kapundeh says digital transformation is not something that can be achieved by government or the private sector alone hence the need for concerted efforts to achieve digital inclusion.
“The Digital Economy for Africa Initiative is an ambitious initiative to ensure that every African individual, business and government is digitally enabled by 2030. This Initiative has now been endorsed by the African union, and the World Bank is actively working with more than 17 countries across the continent to support their Digital transformation strategies” he said.
Mr. Kapundeh added that the World Bank is firmly committed to harnessing the opportunities of Digital technologies to achieve Africa’s transformation as reflected in their corporate strategic initiatives called Digital Economy for Africa Initiative.