Zambia Information Technology Authority (ZICTA) says it has selected sixty young Zambian innovators to take part in this year’s Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Innovation Programmes.
Speaking during the virtual launch in Lusaka today, ZICTA Director General, Engineer Patrick Mutimushi said ZICTA has partnered with Airtel Networks Zambia Plc as the main sponsor of the Programme with the hope of seeing various innovations nurtured into commercially viable solutions which will respond to some of the country’s socio- economic needs.
“We hope to see the selected youths to showcase their innovations in line with Digital Financial Services, Road Safety, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Climate Change, Water and Sanitation, Health including responses to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Director General said.
He explained that the innovation programme is in line with the mandate as prescribed under Section 6 of the ICT Act of 2009 which is aimed at promoting research, development and the use of new and appropriate technologies in the sector.
“This is the 4th year that the Authority is running this prestigious Innovation programme and I would like to take this opportunity to extend our special gratitude to Airtel Networks Zambia Plc, who are our main programme sponsors for the second year. This is a clear demonstration of the importance placed by our operators in growing the ICT sector through promoting ICT related innovations and entrepreneurship,” Engineer Mutimushi said.
Mutimushi has also thanked Stanbic Bank Zambia Limited and other partners for the continued support for the effective implementation of the programme.
“We are happy to also recognise Stanbic Bank who have come on board for this year’s edition as one of our sponsors. We are indebted to all our partners and we are truly grateful,” the ZICTA Director General said.
And speaking at the launch, Airtel Networks Zambia Plc Managing Director, Mr Apoorva Mehrotra said his company recognized its responsibility in bridging the digital divide in the country.
He has assured that the partnerships will results into innovation that will further promote the ICT agenda of the Government and play a critical role in enabling connectivity as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We realise how this programme fits extremely well with our mission of providing globally admired technologies and services to give Zambians an easy and dependable way to connect with the world and we would therefore want to congratulate ZICTA for coming up with this grand idea to start a program such as this one,” Mehrotra said.