Zambia has obtained a $120 million grant from the World Bank to accelerate its digital transformation agenda, with a focus on strengthening the country’s digital public infrastructure.
The funding will support the development of systems such as digital identities, electronic signatures, payment platforms, and data-sharing frameworks, aimed at improving service delivery, boosting efficiency, and enhancing citizens’ access to public services.
The government has already introduced tools like electronic signatures and the ZamPay platform, and is preparing to launch a national electronic Know-Your-Customer (eKYC) system. These initiatives are part of Zambia’s broader digital strategy, which envisions building an integrated, inclusive, and digitally autonomous nation by 2030.
Despite these steps, Zambia currently ranks 130th out of 193 countries in the UN e-Government Development Index, with a score of 0.5424, below the global average.
The World Bank emphasized that successful implementation will depend not only on funding but also on strengthening governance, cybersecurity, regulatory frameworks, digital literacy, and infrastructure such as high-speed internet and modern data centres.
By addressing these challenges, Zambia aims to leverage digital technology as a driver of economic growth, poverty reduction, and improved citizen experiences.
