AUSTRIACARD Commits €50M to Zambia for High-Tech Digital ID and Card Manufacturing Hub
International digital security and transformation giant AUSTRIACARD Holdings has officially announced a €50 million investment in a high-tech manufacturing facility in Lusaka, Zambia.
The announcement was made during the “Digital Technology Forward” event, co-hosted with Smart Zambia, a government division mandated to coordinate e-government services for citizens, businesses, and public institutions.
The event was officiated by Dr. Larry Mweetwa, Director of Technology, Science and Innovation, who represented Minister of Technology and Science Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati. In his keynote, Dr. Mweetwa expressed the government’s gratitude to AUSTRIACARD for selecting Zambia as the site of its advanced manufacturing plant.
“This investment reflects confidence in Zambia’s growing digital economy and aligns fully with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision to put technology and science at the heart of our economic transformation,” Dr. Mweetwa said. “It is a major milestone under the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP) and the National Digital Transformation Strategy.”
The Lusaka-based facility will manufacture biometric ID cards, Visa cards, security documents, and integrated vehicle and insurance systems, contributing to Zambia’s self-sufficiency in secure document production. The project is expected to create over 500 direct jobs, particularly targeting youth employment, and provide significant skills transfer in digital manufacturing and cybersecurity.
AUSTRIACARD will collaborate with local TEVET institutions and universities to offer internship and apprenticeship programs, helping build a highly skilled local workforce. The plant will also utilize energy-efficient and sustainable technologies, in line with Zambia’s Green Economy commitments.
AUSTRIACARD’s digital identity systems promise transformative benefits for Zambian citizens, including improved access to public services, enhanced data privacy, and financial inclusion. The systems will facilitate direct payments of social cash transfers and Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to verified recipients, reducing fraud and delays.
“These solutions will not only improve service delivery but also modernize tax collection mechanisms and reduce dependency on imported secure documents,” said Dr. Mweetwa.
The investment also positions Zambia to participate competitively in regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The facility will serve as a hub for the export of secure digital products across COMESA and SADC markets.
“This is a step forward for Zambia’s role in Africa’s digital transformation,” said an AUSTRIACARD representative. “Our partnership with Smart Zambia ensures sustainable innovation with lasting regional impact.”
In closing, Dr. Mweetwa emphasized the importance of technology in economic development, quoting President Hakainde Hichilema: “Innovation is the heartbeat of a modern economy. Today, that heartbeat grows stronger.”
