PwC Report Reveals Telecoms as Zambia’s Fastest-Growing Economic Engine
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Zambia has unveiled its 2025 Telecommunications Survey Report, highlighting the sector’s pivotal role in driving economic growth, innovation, and social inclusion.
The report was officially launched by the Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati, at the Southern Sun Hotel in Lusaka. Hon. Mutati praised PwC for positioning itself as a leader in analytical thought within the telecommunications industry, noting that the sector is now the fastest-growing contributor to Zambia’s economy.
Key findings reveal that the ICT sector accounts for 20% of total tax revenue, with mobile money transactions nearing K4 billion. Informal employment in the sector exceeds 4 million jobs, while internet connections are approaching 14 million. Mobile penetration has now surpassed 100%.
Strategic priorities outlined in the report include accelerating 5G deployment, strengthening cyber resilience, enhancing customer experience, and expanding collaborative infrastructure initiatives such as co-located towers. It also calls for a faster review of the ICT legal framework to keep pace with rapid technological changes.
Industry leaders welcomed the findings. PwC Zambia Country Partner, Mr Andrew Chibuye, presented the report’s insights, while GSMA Zambia Chairperson, Mr Jason Mwanza, stressed the importance of showcasing the sector’s achievements. ZICTA Director General, Mr Collins Mbulo, represented by Mr Bernard Banda, commended PwC’s contribution, noting the sector’s role in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs.
Zamtel CEO highlighted renewable energy innovations, such as solar-powered towers, which improve network reliability during load shedding.
Looking ahead, the report recognises the government’s initiatives through the Ministry of Technology and Science and the Smart Zambia Institute in expanding ICT infrastructure, from advanced data centres to local computer assembly plants. These developments, combined with increased access to submarine cable connectivity, have improved broadband affordability and expanded digital services to more citizens.
“The telecommunications sector has become a catalyst for Zambia’s digital transformation,” Hon. Mutati said. “Its impact on economic growth, innovation, and social inclusion cannot be overstated.”
The PwC report positions Zambia as a rising digital hub, presenting opportunities for policymakers, investors, and consumers alike.
