The World Bank has pledged to provide US$100 million to help speed up Zambia’s digitization infrastructure and increase access to the internet.
Visiting World Bank Managing Director and Chief Administration Officer, Wengcai Zhang, says the World Bank is preparing the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP), to be financed through a combination of national and regional IDA, and a further US$20m in unguaranteed commercial financing to Zambia.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Technology and Science Minister, Felix Mutati, in Lusaka today, Mr. Zhang said the project aims to Increase access to the internet and digitally enabled services.
He said the project is aligned with the government priorities and will focus on expanding broadband and last mile infrastructure and services and deploying digital public infrastructure to enhance efficiencies in both public and private sectors.
Mr. Zhang said DZAP will support digitalization in selected high-impact sectors including nurturing employment-ready digital skills.
He said the project is expected to be approved by the World Bank Board in March 2025.
Mr. Zhang said before the approval, the World Bank is processing a Project Preparation Advance of $US6 million to finance project preparation activities during the project preparation phase.
And Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati thanked the World Bank for providing US$6 million for Project Preparedness Advance for the Digitization Zambia Acceleration Project.
Mr. Mutati said the project will help in promoting digitization in the nation.
By Eva Hatontola
