It’s been a busy week for ICT in Zambia with the approval of two new bills for the digital economy, a new strategic plan announced by Zambia's ICT regulator and the awarding of a World Bank grant that reports suggest may be used for digital infrastructure.
Earlier this week the Zambian cabinet approved the introduction to its Parliament of two bills focused on electronic transactions and cyber security, both of which address a changing ICT environment.
According to the ITWeb Africa news service, The Electronic Communications and Transactions (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend an earlier act of the same name, which provided for a legal framework for electronic communications and transactions. The purpose of the amendment is to resolve conflicts with April’s (controversial) Cybersecurity Act (2025) and expand public key infrastructure regulations for secure digital transactions.
The other bill, The Postal Services (Repeal) Bill, addresses a need to review the Postal Services Act (2009), due to the rapid evolution in technology that has taken place since 2009, notably cyber-related and counterfeiting challenges. These changes have reportedly rendered the current framework inadequate for the effective regulation of the sector.
Meanwhile the Information and Communications Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ) has released its 2025-2027 strategic plan, described as an ambitious roadmap for the country's digital future.
ICTAZ was established by a 2018 Act of Parliament to provide for the registration of Information and Communications Technology professionals and to regulate their professional conduct in the interest of the information and communications technology sector.
The new strategic plan aims to building on the progress ICTAZ says was achieved by the inaugural Strategic Plan (2020–2024).
ICTAZ says the 2025–2027 Strategic Plan marks a decisive shift, focusing on strengthening member benefits, deepening professional influence, and positioning ICTAZ as a central player in Zambia’s digital and economic transformation.
A potentially more immediate boost for Zambia's plans to expand its digital infrastructure came late in the week with a grant of US$120 million from the World Bank.
News reports say the funding has been recognised as a significant step towards meeting the country's national development objectives under the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy and Vision 2030. However, little has so far been revealed about the World Bank’s intentions or the government’s plans for the money.
