World Bank pledges $100 million to accelerate Zambia’s digital transformation

The World Bank has announced a significant commitment to Zambia’s digital development with a $100 million investment. The initiative, called the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP), aims to bridge the digital divide in the country by expanding internet access and promoting digital services.

During a meeting with Zambia’s Technology and Science Minister, Felix Chipota Mutati, World Bank Managing Director Wengcai Zhang elaborated on the project’s funding structure. DZAP will leverage a combination of national and regional funds from the International Development Association (IDA), along with $20 million in additional commercial financing.

The project will focus on three key areas:

• Broadband expansion: This will involve increasing the availability of high-speed internet access across Zambia.

• Last-mile infrastructure: This refers to the infrastructure needed to connect individual users to the broader internet network. Expanding last-mile infrastructure ensures more people can benefit from the project’s improvements.

• Digital public infrastructure: This includes investments in government technology systems and services, aiming to improve efficiency and accessibility for citizens.

Mr. Zhang emphasised the importance of digitalization not only for improving public services but also for driving growth in key economic sectors. He highlighted the need to develop a skilled workforce prepared for the digital economy.

While final approval from the World Bank Board is expected in March 2025, preparatory work is already underway. A $6 million Project Preparation Advance is being processed to support initial activities.

This advance funding will also be used to address gaps in Zambia’s Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) sector, as noted by Minister Mutati. He expressed his appreciation for the World Bank’s support, acknowledging the importance of this initial investment.

The meeting, which included representatives from both the World Bank and the Zambian government, underscores the collaborative effort behind this crucial initiative.