Zambia Celebrates Top Five Young Innovators in ICT Innovation Programme
Zambia’s innovation ecosystem reached new heights as Technology and Science Minister, Felix Chipota Mutati, unveiled and awarded five finalists in the 2024 Young Innovators ICT Programme. The event highlighted the country’s progress in fostering creativity and technological breakthroughs.
Michael Sichilongo emerged victorious with his groundbreaking app for the physically challenged, utilizing body gestures for seamless interaction. Other winners included Nkonde Bupe with a visual operations simulator, Malizyo Gabriel Muzumala with AI-based medical interpretation, Mwiinga Nzala with a cost calculator for farmers, and Chama Mathews with a mobile hearing app.
Minister Mutati commended the innovators, emphasizing Zambia’s robust digital transformation, supported by public-private partnerships. “Zambia is building a solid innovation ecosystem,” he stated, highlighting the government’s investments in infrastructure and amendments to cyber security laws for innovators’ protection.
With Zambia hosting the UNDP’s Timbuktoo Mine Tech theme, innovators are set to contribute solutions for scaling copper production to 3 million tons in the next decade. Partners like Airtel, Stanbic, and Napsa were applauded for their financial support.
ZICTA’s Collins Chomba lauded the programme’s impact since 2016, supporting over 450 innovators and enabling 40 to commercialize their ideas. Meanwhile, startups like Lead Ebusaka showcased transformative projects in waste management.
