Bridging the Digital Divide: Zambia’s Emerging Tech Frontier

Abstract

This chapter analyzes Zambia's digital transformation path, emphasizing the ongoing digital divide and the potential arising at the convergence of technology, policy, and society. Although internet subscriptions exceeded 13 million by 2024, hardly one-third of Zambians are active internet users, highlighting significant differences in meaningful access. The disparities are especially evident across urban and rural communities, among socio-economic classes, and along gender lines, with women and rural populations being disproportionately marginalized. Notwithstanding these obstacles, Zambia's digital landscape is vibrant: mobile money serves as the foundation of financial inclusion, AgriTech innovations like Lima Links and AgriPredict are empowering smallholder farmers, and e-government platforms like as ZamPortal are enhancing public service delivery. Simultaneously, colleges, innovation centers, and community organizations are cultivating digital competencies that can harness Zambia’s youthful demographic advantage. The chapter contends that closing the digital divide necessitates intentional, inclusive initiatives that amalgamate governmental policy, private sector innovation, research capabilities, and grassroots involvement. Zambia is poised for a significant transition from a resource-dependent to a knowledge-driven economy, contingent upon the expedited investment in infrastructure, affordability, skills, trust, and inclusiveness.