• Internet usage has gone up due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Introduction of e-learning also encouraged more people to use digital platforms.
• Internet usage has increased on a fast rate.

Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has disclosed internet usage in the country has increased due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, ZICTA Corporate Communications Manager Ngabo Nankonde said this can be attributed to the holding of virtual events as well as online transactions as a way of preventing the spread of the pandemic.
Ms. Nankonde further noted that the introduction of e-learning for pupils and students has also contributed to the upsurge in internet usage.
She added that despite not having statistics ready, it is obvious that the number of people requiring internet services has gone up.
“Internet usage has gone up due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We had situations where we had to transact online and the introduction of e-learning exercise also encouraged more and more people to learn using digital platforms. So of course the internet usage has increased on a fast rate. I don’t have the statistics yet but we do not know that it’s obvious that the usage has gone up,” Ms. Nankonde said.
According to Digital 2021 report for Zambia, there were 5.48 million internet uses in January 2021, while the number of internet users increased by 1.1 million between 2020 and 2021.
Internet penetration in Zambia stood at 29.4% in January 2021.