Digital Divide Country Profile · Africa

Zambia

Closing the digital divide, expanding meaningful connectivity, and advancing digital education and workforce participation.

National digital inclusion context

A portfolio-based view of access, capability, and outcomes.

This profile organizes the initiatives directly connected to Zambia in the global research inventory. It follows the study's country-profile framework: national context, broadband infrastructure, inclusion practices, education and workforce connections, implementation actors, and intended contribution.

The documented portfolio emphasizes Telecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure, Digital Public Infrastructure, Last-Mile / Access Infrastructure, 5G, Computer / ICT Equipment. The profile treats infrastructure, affordability, capability, institutions, support, and outcomes as an interconnected system.

Portfolio pattern

What the documented response contains.

Counts reflect source-workbook tags. One initiative may appear in multiple infrastructure or technology categories.

Infrastructure and access

Telecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure4
Digital Public Infrastructure3
Last-Mile / Access Infrastructure2
Backbone / Backhaul / Middle-Mile Infrastructure1
Community Computing Infrastructure1

Specific technologies

5G1
Computer / ICT Equipment1
Computers1
computing devices1
Digital Identity / e-ID1

Intervention classification

Neither explicitly identified7
Infrastructure only6
Infrastructure and Specific Technology5
Specific Technology only2
Digital Health + Public Services + National Rollout1

Education and workforce

Connectivity becomes consequential through participation.

6 initiatives explicitly connect to education, K–12, or college/university contexts, and 5 connect to workforce development. Other investments may enable these outcomes indirectly.

Access

Networks, service availability, devices, and connection quality.

Capability

Skills, confidence, accessibility, navigation, and support.

Participation

Education, work, health, government, and civic opportunity.

Sustainability

Governance, operations, maintenance, funding, and learning.

Project and initiative portfolio

23 documented records

Every directly tagged record is shown with details and supporting URLs preserved from the research workbook.

K–12 school connectivity and computer-lab project

Airtel Zambia Makole Community School Digital Learning Infrastructure

School handed over July 2026 · Makole Community School, Solwezi, North-Western Province

View details

Status / periodSchool handed over July 2026LocationMakole Community School, Solwezi, North-Western ProvincePopulationMore than 855 learners and school staffOrganizationsAirtel Zambia; Airtel Africa Foundation; Zambia Open Community SchoolsFundingPart of K12 million investment supporting five schools

reducing school-level device, connectivity and learning-environment barriers through a connected computer lab and upgraded facilities

Activities and approach: Construct/renovate school facilities; computer lab; internet connectivity; smart boards; classrooms; water and sanitation improvements

School / Institutional ConnectivityCommunity Computing InfrastructureComputerssmart boards

EducationK–12

National broadband inclusion

Digital Zambia Acceleration Project – Inclusive Internet Access

2025–ongoing · Underserved areas

View details

Status / period2025–ongoingLocationUnderserved areasPopulationUnconnected and underserved citizensOrganizationsGovernment of Zambia; World Bank

Expands inclusive access to Internet under IDEA Phase 2.

Activities and approach: Broadband connectivity

Broadband backbone expansion

DZAP – Backbone and Regional Network Expansion to Underserved Areas

Approved 2025; procurement/implementation 2026 · Zambia

View details

Status / periodApproved 2025; procurement/implementation 2026LocationZambiaPopulationResidents, businesses and institutions in unserved and underserved areasOrganizationsSmart Zambia Institute; Government of Zambia; World Bank; private sector

Extends high-speed backbone and regional connectivity into areas where infrastructure is insufficient.

Activities and approach: Backbone fiber; regional links; private-sector participation

Fiber / Fixed Broadband InfrastructureBackbone / Backhaul / Middle-Mile InfrastructureLast-Mile / Access InfrastructureFiber/Fiber Optic

Broadband policy / affordability / market development

DZAP – Broadband Enabling Environment, UASF Optimization and 5G Investment Incentives

2025–ongoing · Zambia

View details

Status / period2025–ongoingLocationZambiaPopulationConsumers, operators and underserved communitiesOrganizationsGovernment of Zambia; Smart Zambia Institute; regulators; World Bank

Improves competition, affordability and investment incentives while reforming universal-service mechanisms.

Activities and approach: Policy/regulatory reform; UASF optimization; 5G incentives; QoS and market development

Mobile / Wireless Infrastructure5G

Broadband infrastructure

DZAP – Broadband Infrastructure Investment

2025–ongoing · Nationwide / underserved regions

View details

Status / period2025–ongoingLocationNationwide / underserved regionsPopulationCommunities and service providersOrganizationsGovernment of Zambia; World Bank

Finances broadband infrastructure and services to expand coverage.

Activities and approach: Broadband infrastructure

Telecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure

Digital agriculture / rural inclusion

DZAP – Digital Agriculture Services and Smart Farming Tools

Approved 2025; implementation · Zambia

View details

Status / periodApproved 2025; implementationLocationZambiaPopulationFarmers and agriculture-sector usersOrganizationsGovernment of Zambia; Smart Zambia Institute; World Bank

Uses digital services to connect farmers to market information and smart-farming tools, improving the value of connectivity in rural areas.

Activities and approach: Market data; smart farming tools; sector digitalization

Digital health

DZAP – Digital Health Records and Technology-Enabled Health Services

Approved 2025; implementation · Health sector

View details

Status / periodApproved 2025; implementationLocationHealth sectorPopulationPatients, health workers and rural health facilitiesOrganizationsGovernment of Zambia; Smart Zambia Institute; World Bank

Improves health-data systems and digitally enabled service delivery, including rural settings.

Activities and approach: Digital health records; data systems; technology-enabled care

Workforce

Digital public infrastructure

DZAP – Digital Public Infrastructure and Services

2025–ongoing · Nationwide

View details

Status / period2025–ongoingLocationNationwidePopulationCitizens and businessesOrganizationsGovernment of Zambia; World Bank

Builds reusable public digital infrastructure that increases the value of connectivity.

Activities and approach: DPI; data infrastructure; digital services

Digital Public InfrastructureTelecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure

Digital education

DZAP – E-Learning Platforms and Digital Education Content

Approved 2025; implementation · Education sector

View details

Status / periodApproved 2025; implementationLocationEducation sectorPopulationStudents, teachers and underserved learnersOrganizationsGovernment of Zambia; Smart Zambia Institute; World Bank

Improves access to e-learning and digital educational content so broadband contributes directly to human-capital development.

Activities and approach: E-learning platforms; digital content; education-sector digitalization

E-Learning / Virtual Learning

EducationK–12

Digital public services

DZAP – E-Services Reengineering and Integration with Government Digital Ecosystem

Procurement preparation 2025–2026 · Government service ecosystem

View details

Status / periodProcurement preparation 2025–2026LocationGovernment service ecosystemPopulationCitizens and businessesOrganizationsSmart Zambia Institute; World Bank

Reengineers public services and connects them to shared digital infrastructure for faster and more transparent delivery.

Activities and approach: E-service redesign; systems integration; government digital ecosystem

Telecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure

Digital skills and jobs

DZAP – Employment-Ready Digital Skills for Youth and Underserved Populations

Approved 2025; implementation · Zambia

View details

Status / periodApproved 2025; implementationLocationZambiaPopulationYouth, women, persons with disabilities and vulnerable communitiesOrganizationsGovernment of Zambia; Smart Zambia Institute; World Bank

Builds employment-ready digital skills so expanded connectivity translates into jobs and inclusive economic participation.

Activities and approach: Digital literacy; intermediate/advanced skills; job-oriented training; inclusion measures

EducationWorkforce

Digital identity / civil registration

DZAP – Foundational Digital ID and Civil Registration Core Modules

Procurement preparation 2025–2026 · Zambia

View details

Status / periodProcurement preparation 2025–2026LocationZambiaPopulationCitizens and residents needing trusted access to servicesOrganizationsSmart Zambia Institute; World Bank

Creates foundational identity and civil-registration modules needed for secure, reusable access to digital public services.

Activities and approach: Digital ID; CRVS core modules; data migration; enrollment kits; backend servers

Digital Identity / e-ID

Digital public infrastructure / interoperability

DZAP – Interoperable and Secure Data Platforms / Digital Public Infrastructure

Approved 2025; implementation 2026 · Whole of government

View details

Status / periodApproved 2025; implementation 2026LocationWhole of governmentPopulationCitizens, businesses and agencies using digital servicesOrganizationsSmart Zambia Institute; Government of Zambia; World Bank

Builds shared secure platforms so data and services can interoperate across government.

Activities and approach: Data exchange; interoperability; secure platforms; cloud/data infrastructure

Digital Public Infrastructure

Institutional broadband / last mile

DZAP – Last-Mile Connectivity for Schools, Health Facilities and District Administrative Centres

Approved 2025; implementation/procurement · Public institutions

View details

Status / periodApproved 2025; implementation/procurementLocationPublic institutionsPopulationStudents, health workers, patients, public servants and surrounding communitiesOrganizationsSmart Zambia Institute; World Bank

Connects key public institutions to broadband so network expansion translates into usable education, health and government services.

Activities and approach: Last-mile broadband; school, health-facility and administrative-centre links

Last-Mile / Access InfrastructureInstitutional / School Connectivity Infrastructure

EducationK–12Workforce

Accessible digital inclusion

DZAP – Persons with Disabilities Digital Inclusion

2025–ongoing · Nationwide targeted populations

View details

Status / period2025–ongoingLocationNationwide targeted populationsPopulationPersons with disabilitiesOrganizationsGovernment of Zambia; World Bank

Builds inclusive access to Internet and digitally enabled public services.

Activities and approach: Accessible digital services

Targeted digital inclusion

DZAP – Women and Girls Digital Inclusion

2025–ongoing · Nationwide targeted populations

View details

Status / period2025–ongoingLocationNationwide targeted populationsPopulationWomen and girlsOrganizationsGovernment of Zambia; World Bank

Targets gender gaps in access and use of digitally enabled services.

Activities and approach: Targeted connectivity and skills

ICT Equipment; Youth Digital Skills; Community Access

SMART Zambia Luwingu Youth Resource Centre ICT Equipment Initiative

Planned handover / August 2026 · Luwingu Youth Resource Centre, Luwingu District, Zambia

View details

Status / periodPlanned handover / August 2026LocationLuwingu Youth Resource Centre, Luwingu District, ZambiaPopulationLocal youth; young people needing access to ICT equipment and digital skillsOrganizationsSMART Zambia Institute; Ministry of Youth and Sport; Luwingu District administrationFundingEquipment handover planned; funding amount and equipment count not stated

Creates a community technology access point and strengthens digital competencies for youth who may lack equipment at home.

Activities and approach: Planned ICT equipment handover; youth digital-literacy training; technology-skills development.

Community ICT access facilityICT equipmentlaptopscomputing devices

National digital government and public-service infrastructure expansion

SMART Zambia National Digital Infrastructure Expansion Programme

Launched 2021; nationwide expansion documented July 2026 · Zambia nationwide; emphasis on rural and North-Western Province

View details

Status / periodLaunched 2021; nationwide expansion documented July 2026LocationZambia nationwide; emphasis on rural and North-Western ProvincePopulationCitizens, rural communities, public institutions, schools and government service usersOrganizationsSMART Zambia Institute / Office of the President – e-Government DivisionFundingNational programme; specific July 2026 total not stated

extending government digital infrastructure and services beyond urban centers so rural citizens can access public services and digital opportunities

Activities and approach: Government ICT infrastructure rollout; connectivity to institutions and local authorities; e-government systems; rural digital-service access

Government / Public-Sector Digital InfrastructureInstitutional ConnectivityNone

EducationK–12

Public-institution satellite connectivity

SMART Zambia Shiwangandu Starlink Public-Site Rollout

Implemented 2025 · Shiwangandu District

View details

Status / periodImplemented 2025LocationShiwangandu DistrictPopulationUsers of health facilities, a secondary school, civic center and district officesOrganizationsSMART Zambia InstituteFundingNot stated in source

Connects critical rural public facilities to reliable internet where terrestrial options are limited.

Activities and approach: Starlink installation at public sites; institutional broadband

Institutional satellite broadband infrastructureStarlink satellite broadband

EducationK–12

Public-sector connectivity and digital government infrastructure

SMART Zambia Sinazongwe Town Council ICT and High-Speed Internet Deployment

Deployed August 2026 · Sinazongwe Town Council, Southern Province, Zambia

View details

Status / periodDeployed August 2026LocationSinazongwe Town Council, Southern Province, ZambiaPopulationMunicipal staff and residents who depend on local public servicesOrganizationsSMART Zambia Institute / e-Government Division; Sinazongwe Town Council

Extends reliable connectivity and modern ICT infrastructure to a local government outside major urban centers, improving residents’ access to digitally enabled public services.

Activities and approach: High-speed internet; advanced communication systems; ICT equipment; virtual meetings; digital document processing

Institutional / Public-Sector Connectivity InfrastructureTelecommunications / Broadband InfrastructureHigh-Speed InternetComputer / ICT Equipment

Workforce

Digital health; public digital services; health connectivity

SmartCare Pro Electronic Health Record Nationwide Rollout

Approximately 80% of health facilities reached by July 2026 · Health facilities across Zambia; milestone announced in Zambezi District, North-Western Province

View details

Status / periodApproximately 80% of health facilities reached by July 2026LocationHealth facilities across Zambia; milestone announced in Zambezi District, North-Western ProvincePopulationPatients, health workers and health facilities nationwideOrganizationsSMART Zambia Institute; Ministry of Health; IHM Southern AfricaFundingNational multi-year digital-health investment; project-level milestone funding not stated

Reduces a health-service digital divide by extending interoperable electronic records and digitally enabled care across urban and rural facilities.

Activities and approach: Electronic health records; patient data digitization; nationwide facility rollout; staff use and service-delivery integration

Digital Public InfrastructureHealth Information SystemsFacility ConnectivitySmartCare Pro EHR

Digital skills and adoption support

Zambia Launches ZamFree WiFi Initiative To Bridge Digital Divide

Announced, active, or documented at source date · Zambia

View details

Status / periodAnnounced, active, or documented at source dateLocationZambiaPopulationPeople and communities affected by digital exclusion

Builds digital capability and adoption support for people and communities affected by digital exclusion, addressing skills and participation barriers.

Activities and approach: Digital-skills training; adoption support

Unified digital public services

ZamPortal One-Stop Government E-Services Platform

Operational; continuously expanding · zamportal.gov.zm / eservices.gov.zm

View details

Status / periodOperational; continuously expandingLocationzamportal.gov.zm / eservices.gov.zmPopulationCitizens, businesses, workers, drivers, immigrants, families and retireesOrganizationsGovernment of Zambia; Smart Zambia Institute / public authorities

Provides a single official entry point to government e-services and online payments, reducing queues and fragmented agency access.

Activities and approach: One-stop portal; authentication; online applications; electronic payments; assisted support

Workforce

Evidence boundary

Read the portfolio as a starting point, not a final verdict.

Project records document interventions and intended contributions; they do not alone prove nationwide coverage, causal impact, or durable closure.

Profiles will deepen as national statistics, policy documents, evaluations, and implementation evidence are incorporated. Source links allow inspection of underlying evidence.

Evidence and contextProfile Sources

These sources support the country-level demographic, geographic, and connectivity context. Sources tied to individual projects remain with their project records and are not repeated here.

Central Intelligence Agency. (n.d.). Zambia. The World Factbook. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/zambia/
International Telecommunication Union. (n.d.). ITU DataHub: Country ICT data. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://datahub.itu.int/
World Bank. (n.d.). Individuals using the Internet (% of population): Zambia. World Development Indicators. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?locations=ZM
World Bank. (n.d.). Population, total: Zambia. World Development Indicators. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=ZM

Compare another country.

All country profiles →