Introduction
Zambia’s digital landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation as artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies gain momentum. From AI-powered chatbots handling customer service to blockchain securing land records, new tech is reshaping how Zambians interact with web and mobile applications. Both government and industry players are increasingly supportive of these innovations, seeing them as keys to economic growth and improved public services. This article explores current trends in AI adoption, key application areas, support from government and industry, challenges to broader adoption, and the impact of technologies like blockchain, IoT, cloud computing, and 5G. We also highlight future applications and opportunities that Zambian developers and businesses can leverage in the coming years.
AI Adoption in Zambia: Current Trends
AI adoption in Zambia is on the rise across various sectors. Recent surveys indicate that many organizations have begun integrating AI tools into their workflows. For instance, 44% of surveyed civil society organizations (CSOs) reported using AI tools, with generative AI being the most widely used category
. An even higher uptake is seen in media: 60% of Zambian journalists are using AI tools in their newsrooms, employing technologies like text analytics, chatbots, image/video analysis, social media management, and speech-to-text transcription
. Importantly, nearly all remaining organizations are considering AI adoption in the near future
, suggesting a strong interest in expanding AI use. Generative AI platforms (such as chatbots and content generation tools) are especially popular, as they are relatively accessible and can automate routine tasks.
Despite growing usage, there’s a recognition of the need for capacity building. A majority of journalists (74%) reported a lack of AI training in their newsrooms
, and only 18% of CSOs offer any AI-related training to staff
. This gap highlights that while AI tools are available, many users still need skills and knowledge to use them effectively. Encouragingly, most professionals in Zambia do not view AI as a direct threat to jobs – in one survey, 74% of journalists did not see AI as a threat to their employment
. Instead, the focus is on how AI can enhance efficiency. However, there is a call for clear guidelines: 78% of journalists surveyed favor regulation of AI technologies
, and 85% noted their organizations lack an AI policy
. These trends show that Zambia is cautiously embracing AI – adoption is climbing, but there is demand for training, ethical standards, and supportive policies to guide AI’s integration into the web and apps.
Key Areas of AI Application in Zambia
AI is being applied in a variety of areas in Zambia’s economy and society. Here are some of the key sectors and examples of how AI is shaping web and mobile applications:
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Media and Customer Service: News organizations and businesses are using AI to automate content and improve user engagement. Journalists leverage AI for tasks like social media analysis and transcription
. In customer support, AI chatbots have become mainstream. For example, Stanbic Bank Zambia launched “Stan,” an AI-powered chatbot, to provide 24/7 customer support via popular chat apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.), handling queries on banking services and FAQs in a conversational manner . Similarly, MTN Zambia introduced an AI assistant named “EVA” (branded as Call Natasha) in 2025 to give users real-time help with financial tips, news updates, and service support, aiming to bridge the digital information divide . These AI-driven chat interfaces make customer interactions faster and more accessible on web and mobile platforms. -
Finance and Fintech: Beyond chatbots, financial services are using AI for fraud detection, credit scoring, and consumer protection. Banks and fintech startups see AI as a way to expand financial inclusion. First National Bank (FNB) Zambia, for instance, employed an AI customer experience solution that significantly increased self-service query resolution for customers
. On the regulatory side, Zambia’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is implementing an AI-enabled complaints management system with multi-lingual chatbots to handle consumer issues in banking and fintech. This system, funded by the African Development Bank, can accept complaints in local languages (including audio input for those unable to read/write) and track their resolution, improving consumer protection and financial inclusion . AI’s ability to operate in multiple Zambian languages and automate routine finance tasks holds great promise for broadening access to financial services via apps. -
Agriculture: Agriculture is a backbone of Zambia’s economy, and AI is making inroads through data-driven “smart farming” solutions. Local tech startups are combining IoT sensors with AI analytics to help farmers increase yields and reduce costs. One example is Tech-IQ’s Smart IoT farming platform, launched in 2022, which uses environmental sensors (for soil pH, weather, humidity, pest detection) and machine learning to automate irrigation and farm management. Farmers can monitor crop conditions remotely via a web or mobile app, receiving AI-driven insights on when to water or apply pesticides. This leads to water savings and less labor-intensive farming. Such AI-powered agriculture platforms help improve crop outcomes and could be vital for climate-smart farming as Zambia seeks to boost food security.
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Healthcare: AI applications in health are emerging, offering innovative ways to improve care delivery. A standout example is Medsearch Zambia’s AI-driven skin scanning tool, a mobile app that uses AI to analyze skin images for dermatological conditions. As winners of a 2023 digital health hackathon, Medsearch developed this tool to let users scan rashes or moles with their phone camera and get quick, AI-powered assessments of potential skin issues
. This makes specialized care like dermatology more accessible, especially in regions with few specialists. Medsearch is also piloting a medicine scanning feature in collaboration with the government, allowing patients to scan medication labels and instantly retrieve information on dosage, side effects, and usage – all via a smartphone app . These examples show how Zambian innovators are harnessing AI to bring healthcare services to web and mobile platforms, improving access and patient knowledge. In the future, we can expect more AI in telemedicine (for example, AI triage chatbots) and diagnostic support tools in clinics. -
Public Sector and E-Governance: The Zambian government is exploring AI to enhance public services and administration. One notable area is land administration. Research suggests that AI technologies like machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and computer vision could greatly improve how land records are managed in Zambia. For example, machine learning can be used to predict land value changes and flag irregularities in transactions (helping reduce fraud), NLP can digitize and analyze legal documents for land ownership, and computer vision can assist in mapping and surveying land parcels. This kind of automation would make processes more efficient and transparent, addressing issues of outdated records and disputes. In practice, some of this innovation is already underway through blockchain (discussed below) and AI pilots. Government agencies are also using AI chatbots on websites to answer citizens’ questions and guide them in e-government services. Overall, AI is seen as a tool to modernize public service delivery – from speeding up license renewals to analyzing data for policy decisions.
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Education: While still in early stages, AI is poised to impact education and e-learning in Zambia. The national AI Strategy explicitly aims to support education by improving teacher-student interactions through technology
. We’re seeing the beginnings of this with digital learning platforms. For example, some Zambian e-learning apps may integrate AI tutors or chatbots to help students with common questions, and AI-driven analytics can personalize learning content based on a student’s progress. As connectivity improves and digital literacy grows, schools and educational startups are likely to adopt AI-powered tools (like adaptive learning software or grading assistants) to enhance the learning experience on web and mobile.
These examples illustrate that AI in Zambia is not confined to a single domain – it’s influencing everything from how people bank and farm to how they receive news and healthcare. Many of these AI applications are delivered through user-friendly web portals and mobile apps, making advanced technology accessible to ordinary Zambians in their daily lives.
Government and Industry Support for AI Development
Zambia’s government has recognized the potential of AI and is taking active steps to create a conducive environment for its development. In 2023, the Ministry of Technology and Science, led by Hon. Felix Mutati, formulated and launched the country’s first National AI Strategy
. This strategy – developed in collaboration with partners like the Tony Blair Institute and supported by international experts – provides a detailed roadmap to accelerate digital transformation, create jobs, and improve public services through AI
. It outlines five core pillars (dubbed “building blocks”): improving connectivity (referred to as “digital trees”), ensuring reliable data availability, building trust and cybersecurity, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and strengthening partnerships for idea exchange
. The AI Strategy is comprehensive, targeting multiple sectors. For example, it envisions AI improving education outcomes, modernizing healthcare delivery, and enhancing agricultural efficiency in Zambia
. It even links AI to Zambia’s strategic economic goals, such as using AI to help triple copper production via better mineral exploration techniques
. By launching this strategy, the government signaled strong support for AI, positioning Zambia among a handful of African nations with a formal AI policy framework.
In addition to strategy-setting, the government has been adjusting policies and infrastructure to support AI and emerging tech. To encourage tech investment, authorities removed certain taxes on importing digital equipment, spurring millions of dollars in tech investments
. Legal frameworks are being updated: the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act is under review to better accommodate AI deployments
, and a forthcoming Startup Bill (developed with EU partnership) aims to bolster the startup ecosystem
. Institutions like the Smart Zambia Institute are working on e-government platforms and nation-wide digital infrastructure, which indirectly supports AI by providing the necessary data and cloud services for public sector applications. The government is also keen on capacity building – there are initiatives for ICT skills training and plans to incorporate AI in higher education curricula, ensuring local talent is developed to implement these new technologies.
Industry players are likewise supporting AI growth. Major telecom companies and banks are investing in AI solutions (as noted, MTN and Stanbic have their AI chatbots). Tech hubs and incubators such as BongoHive in Lusaka provide training, hackathons, and accelerators for AI and tech startups. Hackathons like the Digital Health Hackathon in 2023 (co-hosted by BongoHive) have showcased local AI innovations in healthcare
. Such community-driven events, often supported by NGOs or international agencies, help developers learn AI skills and collaborate on solutions for local problems. Moreover, multinational tech firms (e.g. Huawei, Microsoft, IBM) have conducted workshops or pilot projects in Zambia to demonstrate AI and cloud technologies, often in partnership with the government or universities. The private sector is increasingly seeing AI as a competitive advantage – whether for improving customer experience or optimizing operations – which is driving adoption. For example, Zambian financial institutions are partnering with fintech solution providers to integrate AI into their mobile banking apps, and agricultural companies are working with agri-tech startups to use AI for crop monitoring.
The combined push from government strategy and industry innovation is creating a supportive ecosystem for AI. Importantly, Zambia is collaborating internationally – learning from other countries and attracting foreign investment into its tech sector. The national AI readiness score for Zambia (0.37 on the IMF’s AI index) is slightly above the Sub-Saharan Africa average
, but there’s clear ambition to climb higher. With strong policy direction and active industry participation, Zambia is setting the stage for AI and emerging technologies to flourish in its web and app landscape.
Challenges to Widespread AI Adoption
While the outlook for AI in Zambia is optimistic, several challenges still hinder its widespread adoption and impact:
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Infrastructure and Connectivity: Gaps in digital infrastructure remain a fundamental challenge. Internet penetration outside urban areas is limited, and many rural communities lack reliable broadband. Even though mobile network coverage is improving, inconsistent connectivity and occasional power shortages make it harder to rely on cloud-based AI services in some areas. The government’s efforts to expand fiber networks and the rollout of 5G (discussed later) are expected to help, but the urban-rural digital divide is a persistent issue
. Until high-speed internet and electricity are more universally accessible, large segments of the population could be left out of AI-driven web and mobile services. -
Skills and Education: A shortage of AI expertise and digital skills in the workforce is a significant barrier. Surveys show that most organizations using AI in Zambia have not trained their staff adequately – for instance, over 70% of journalists using AI received no formal training on these tools
. There is a limited pool of local AI engineers and data scientists, meaning companies often rely on external tools or consultants. Without building more AI literacy (from basic AI awareness for end-users to advanced technical training for developers), adoption will be uneven. The learning curve can deter smaller businesses or institutions from deploying AI, especially if they lack support to understand and maintain these systems. Efforts by universities and tech hubs to include AI in curricula and provide training will be crucial to address this gap. -
Data Availability and Quality: AI systems require data – and often, local data. Zambia faces challenges in creating and accessing high-quality datasets relevant to local needs. For example, training an AI model for a Zambian agriculture app might need weather and soil data specific to Zambian regions, which may be scarce or siloed. Similarly, natural language AI that understands Zambian languages (Bemba, Nyanja, etc.) is still limited because training data in those languages is not as abundant as English data. Some CSOs have noted biases in AI tools that don’t adequately address African contexts or represent African populations
. This highlights the need for more inclusive data and algorithms. Localizing AI – in language, culture, and context – is a challenge that requires investment in data collection and perhaps open data initiatives by government to share datasets (e.g. agricultural statistics, health records in anonymized form) that developers can use to build relevant AI solutions. -
Cost and Access to Technology: Advanced AI development can be costly. Small businesses or startups may find it expensive to procure AI software, pay for cloud computing power, or purchase IoT sensors and devices. Although many AI tools have affordable cloud-based options, the transaction costs (including paying in foreign currency for global cloud services) and lack of local AI service providers can be hurdles. There’s also the cost of hardware – devices that can run AI-powered apps (smartphones, computers) are not owned by everyone. If end-users have older phones that cannot handle AI-rich apps, adoption of those apps will suffer. However, costs are gradually coming down, and initiatives like tax waivers on tech equipment
can ease this challenge over time. -
Regulatory and Ethical Concerns: As AI use grows, so do concerns about regulation, privacy, and ethics. Zambia is proactively working on regulatory frameworks (e.g., an AI strategy, potential AI-specific guidelines, and updating cyber laws) but clear regulations are still in development. In the meantime, businesses might be uncertain about what data practices or AI uses are permissible, slowing their willingness to innovate. There are also legitimate public concerns about privacy and job displacement. AI systems that collect personal data (like customer info or biometric data) must secure that data against misuse. Ensuring compliance with data protection and building public trust is an ongoing challenge. Ethically, questions around AI bias and transparency are emerging. For example, if a bank uses an AI algorithm to determine loan eligibility, how do we ensure it’s fair and not unintentionally biased against certain groups? Without robust oversight and ethical standards, such issues could undermine confidence in AI solutions. The strong desire by Zambian professionals for AI regulation
indicates that stakeholders want guardrails to ensure AI is used responsibly and doesn’t harm society. -
Digital Divide and Inclusion: Finally, there’s the human factor – making sure all segments of society can benefit from AI and advanced tech. Currently, the majority of AI and high-tech innovation is centered in Lusaka and a few major cities. Rural communities, older generations, and some marginalized groups risk being left behind. The national strategy does acknowledge this and calls for inclusive policies to involve women, girls, and rural populations in the digital economy
. Bridging this divide is a challenge that goes beyond technology – it involves education, awareness, and culturally relevant solutions. If not addressed, the digital divide could mean only a portion of Zambians enjoy the fruits of AI in web and app experiences, exacerbating inequality.
Addressing these challenges will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders – government must continue improving infrastructure and frameworks, educational institutions need to ramp up skill development, and businesses plus civil society should collaborate on ethical best practices. With these hurdles gradually overcome, Zambia can unlock the full potential of AI and emerging technologies across the nation.
Emerging Technologies Transforming Zambia’s Digital Landscape
Beyond AI, several other emerging technologies are playing a significant role in shaping the future of web services and applications in Zambia. These technologies often work hand-in-hand with AI to create more powerful solutions. Below, we discuss the impact of four key technologies – blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and 5G – on Zambia’s digital landscape:
Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
Blockchain technology is gaining traction in Zambia, primarily in areas that require transparent and tamper-proof record-keeping. A notable example is land registration. In 2021, Zambia embarked on an ambitious land titling program in partnership with Medici Land Governance, using blockchain to secure land records. Through this project, millions of land titles are being digitized and recorded on a blockchain, ensuring a public, immutable ledger of land ownership. During an earlier pilot, field agents collected data on 50,000 properties using a mobile system (Enum) and later uploaded it to a blockchain-backed government system. By leveraging blockchain, the government aims to enhance security of tenure and reduce fraud or disputes in land transactions. This land titling initiative – one of the largest in Africa – shows how web platforms powered by blockchain can solve longstanding administrative challenges by increasing transparency.
Cryptocurrencies, a blockchain use case, are also stirring interest in Zambia, though adoption is still nascent. As of now, cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in the country, but using or trading crypto is not outright illegal either. The government’s stance has been cautious yet curious: it has been testing regulatory frameworks for crypto in controlled environments. In 2023, Zambia’s central bank and securities regulator began simulations to understand cryptocurrency usage with the aim of crafting balanced regulations
. The goal is to strike a safe balance – allowing innovation in fintech and digital assets while protecting consumers and the financial system
. One prerequisite officials have emphasized is the need for robust digital identity systems and digital infrastructure before fully embracing crypto
. This indicates that in the near future, we may see clearer guidelines or a sandbox for crypto startups. Meanwhile, Zambian youth and tech-savvy users are exploring cryptocurrencies for investment and remittances, but broader public adoption awaits more regulatory certainty and education. If those pieces fall into place, blockchain-based financial services (like cross-border payment apps, decentralised finance platforms, or blockchain-backed mobile wallets) could become part of Zambia’s web and app ecosystem, offering new options for commerce and inclusion.
Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT refers to networks of smart devices and sensors that collect and exchange data – and it’s increasingly visible in Zambia’s push towards “smart” solutions. We’ve already touched on IoT in agriculture: sensors in fields transmitting data to AI-driven farm management apps. But IoT’s impact extends to urban infrastructure and environmental management as well. Lusaka, for example, has seen smart city initiatives that deploy IoT devices. In a project begun in 2019, Huawei was contracted to install hundreds of 24-hour security cameras around Lusaka as part of a Smart City plan
. These cameras, along with smart streetlights and sensors at bus stops and markets, are intended to improve public safety and city management. They enable digital monitoring of traffic and automated systems like electronic parking payments (using license plate recognition) instead of manual processes
. Such IoT deployments feed data into central systems (even command centers) that city authorities can use to make decisions in real time. Another example is the installation of public WiFi hotspots in Lusaka’s urban areas as part of the smart city project, allowing citizens to connect (with certain free access periods) and enabling IoT connectivity for devices in the vicinity
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Beyond cities, IoT is also being utilized in conservation (like sensor collars for wildlife or environmental sensors tracking climate data) and industrial operations. In the mining sector – crucial for Zambia – IoT sensors on equipment can relay performance data to predict maintenance needs, and underground environmental sensors can enhance miner safety. These IoT systems often tie into web dashboards or mobile apps for managers to monitor remotely. For developers, IoT opens opportunities to build the software that interfaces with all these smart devices – whether it’s an app that farmers use to check sensor readings or a platform for city officials to receive alerts from traffic cameras. As IoT hardware becomes cheaper and connectivity improves, we can expect a proliferation of smart devices across Zambia, all generating data that can be harnessed to create more responsive web and app services.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing provides the backbone for many of the digital innovations in Zambia. Instead of building expensive local servers, businesses and government agencies are turning to cloud services to host applications, store data, and run complex computations (like AI models). In fact, Zambia’s Smart Zambia e-government initiative is predicated on using cloud infrastructure for public services
. The government, with support from international partners, established the Zambia National Data Centre in 2017 – a $75 million facility built by Huawei – to serve as a secure government cloud hosting platform
. This National Data Centre allows government ministries and departments to move their websites, databases, and applications to a centralized cloud, improving reliability and lowering IT costs. It’s the cornerstone for e-government services that citizens can access online (such as business registration, tax filings, and license renewals), and it also supports internal systems like the government service bus that connects various agencies’ databases.
For the private sector, cloud computing is equally transformative. Zambian startups and developers frequently use global cloud platforms (like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or local data center offerings) to deploy their web and mobile applications. Cloud services enable these apps to scale to thousands of users without each company needing to invest in physical servers. A fintech app, for example, can be hosted in the cloud so that it’s always available to users and can handle spikes in transactions. Similarly, AI and data-heavy applications rely on cloud computing for processing power – training a machine learning model or running an AI chatbot in real-time is made feasible by cloud-based AI APIs and infrastructure. We are also seeing traditional industries in Zambia, such as banking and retail, migrate to cloud-based solutions (for core banking systems or inventory management), which improves their integration with web and mobile front-ends. Cloud adoption does come with considerations around data sovereignty and security; however, many providers and the government data center adhere to international standards and PCI/DSS compliance (the Zambia National Data Centre, for instance, achieved PCI compliance for secure transactions
). Overall, cloud computing is an enabler – it underpins the expansion of Zambia’s digital services by providing on-demand computing resources, which is especially important for a developing tech ecosystem where cost efficiency and scalability are key.
5G Networks and Improved Connectivity
The advent of 5G mobile networks in Zambia marks a significant leap in connectivity that will impact all digital services, from streaming to IoT. In late 2022, MTN Zambia became the first operator to launch a commercial 5G service, deploying ultra-fast wireless internet in parts of Lusaka and several cities (Kitwe, Ndola, and more)
. Airtel Zambia followed as the second operator, launching its 5G network in Lusaka by mid-2023
. These 5G rollouts are still in early stages – initially covering select urban areas – but they signal the beginning of a new era of connectivity. 5G offers data speeds up to 10 times faster than 4G, significantly lower latency (near real-time responsiveness), and the ability to connect many more devices simultaneously. For Zambian web and app experiences, this means smoother high-definition video streaming, more reliable video conferencing and remote work tools, and the potential for emerging applications like virtual reality or augmented reality services which were difficult to support on older networks.
Crucially, 5G is a catalyst for IoT and AI at scale. With 5G, thousands of sensors in a smart city or on a farm can transmit data with minimal delay, enabling truly real-time analytics. An autonomous drone monitoring crops or a telemedicine app doing a live remote ultrasound can operate far better on a 5G connection due to the high bandwidth and low lag. The government’s AI strategy explicitly notes that the rollout of 5G will “amplify AI’s impact, enabling advanced services and innovations across industries.”
. In practical terms, this could support things like intelligent transportation systems (smart traffic lights that adapt to congestion, connected vehicles) or advanced fintech services (instant biometric verification via mobile). For developers and businesses, 5G opens opportunities to build data-intensive applications without worrying as much about network limitations – for instance, cloud gaming platforms or immersive education apps become more viable.
One challenge will be ensuring that 5G is not confined to just the capital or rich neighborhoods. Telecom companies, with encouragement from regulators, will need to extend 5G coverage beyond Lusaka to other provinces over time. As device manufacturers bring more affordable 5G smartphones to the market, more Zambian consumers will be able to take advantage of these new services. In summary, improved connectivity through 5G (alongside ongoing expansion of fiber-optic internet in Zambia) forms the foundation upon which the “future web” will run – it’s the highway for all other technologies to deliver their full potential to users.
Future Opportunities for Developers and Businesses
The convergence of AI with blockchain, IoT, cloud, and 5G is unlocking a broad array of opportunities in Zambia. Developers and entrepreneurs stand to benefit by creating solutions tailored to local needs, while businesses can leverage these technologies to become more competitive and innovative. Here are some potential future applications and opportunities on the horizon:
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E-Government and Civic Tech: With government support, developers can build apps that simplify citizen services. For example, AI-driven chatbots could be integrated into government websites or messaging apps to help citizens file taxes, apply for permits, or get answers to common questions in local languages. Open data initiatives and blockchain-backed transparency tools could allow civic tech developers to create platforms for tracking public expenditures or election results, boosting accountability. The groundwork (national data center, AI strategy, etc.) is being laid for startups to collaborate with government in delivering digital public services – a space that can yield both social impact and business opportunity.
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Localized AI Solutions: There is a need for AI tools that understand Zambian context – be it language, culture, or environment. This presents a niche for developers to create localized AI models. One opportunity is natural language processing for Zambian languages: imagine smart voice assistants or translation apps that fluently handle Bemba or Nyanja. Another is AI for local commerce – such as recommendation engines for e-commerce platforms that cater to Zambian shopping trends, or AI analytics for farmers that incorporate local crop and weather patterns. Because global AI products often lack local customization, Zambian startups can fill that gap with home-grown AI solutions (for instance, an agriculture AI app trained on Zambian soil and climate data could outperform a generic soluti