By DELPHINE ZULU –
GOVERNMENT has assured the business community that it will continue to create a conducive environment for a thriving technology sector in order to initiate national sustainable growth.

. Wina

Vice-President Inonge Wina said Zambia had scored many achievements in the technology sector especially at global and international levels without reference to the immense contribution in Africa.
She said through innovation, Zambia had managed to create jobs and improve, among others, service delivery throughout the country.
“We have also achieved some key milestones in providing social services such as health and education on e-platforms, through the universal access programmes. Innovation is critical as it provides
solutions to many challenges society is facing,” she said.
Speaking at the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA)  Business Forum at Mulungushi International Conference Centre yesterday, under the theme, ‘Innovate – Create – Thrive’, Ms Wina said Government was committed to ensure that a conducive environment was maintained to grow the nation.
She said Zambia had through the e-government programme made steady progress in delivering some of the public services through e-platforms which have assisted greatly in making public service delivery more efficient, effective and delivered in a transparent and accountable manner.
In a speech read for her by Works and Supply Minister Yamfwa Mukanga, Ms Wina said Government’s long aspiration as contained in the vision 2030 was to embrace the use of ICT as it would transform the country into fully adopting the use of technology across the country.
“President Edgar Lungu’s Government is very determined to ensure the country meets this set target in ICT,” she said.
ZICTA director general Margaret Mudenda said Zambia needed concerted efforts from both the private sector and the Government in order to improve her global ranking in ICT access and usage.
She said ZICTA would continue to promote universal access to ICTs through strategic projects and investments aimed at increasing access to and widespread usage of technology.
Board chairperson, Emmanuel Musonda said it was both the Government and Authority’s desire to see the forum transform into reality and one that would lead to insightful outcome and change the nation’s
perception on ICTs.
Mr Musonda said it had become a universally accepted fact that ICTs were the catalyst for development of any nation and that ZICTA planned to ensure that Zambia’s positive economic trend continued by making sure that communication services are accessible and affordable for all especially in rural areas.