ZICTA Crowns Zambia’s Leading Digital Innovators of 2025

Zambia’s digital innovation landscape reached another milestone as the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) hosted the 2025 ICT Innovation Programme Awards Ceremony at the Radisson Blu Hotel. The event recognised the top ten innovators selected from more than five hundred applicants, celebrating their creativity, resilience and contribution to national development.

The ICT Innovation Programme continues to strengthen Zambia’s digital ecosystem by supporting emerging solutions in health, education, agriculture, finance and public service delivery. Over the years, it has become a central platform for identifying and nurturing young innovators who are committed to solving real national challenges.

The Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati, MP, served as Guest of Honour. In his remarks, he praised the achievements of all participants and highlighted the inspiring journey of 2022 alumnus Tafadzwa Munzwa, Founder of Dawa Health. He said Munzwa’s determination demonstrates the potential of Zambian innovators to create solutions that can have both national and global impact.

The Minister noted that the ICT sector remains one of the fastest growing segments of the Zambian economy, expanding by 17.4 percent and contributing more than 45 percent to the country’s GDP. He encouraged innovators to explore various financing opportunities, including the Lusaka Securities Exchange, where several digital firms have recently succeeded in raising capital. The Minister also outlined five essential pillars for strengthening the innovation ecosystem. 

These include community collaboration, improved coordination of support institutions, investment in resilient digital infrastructure, an enabling policy environment and continuous development of young talent. He encouraged the innovators to keep pushing boundaries and to continue proving that Zambia’s youth can accomplish anything with the right support.

Stanbic Bank Zambia Chief Executive Officer, Mwindwa Siakalima, congratulated the finalists and emphasised that Africa’s greatest resource is its youthful population. He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting digital transformation through mentorship, access to finance and capacity building, in alignment with the National Digital Transformation Strategy.  

Siakalima noted that the top innovators have developed solutions that directly contribute to national priorities such as digital agriculture, improved financial access and enhanced health services.

Airtel Zambia Managing Director, Hussameldin Baday, celebrated Airtel’s sixth consecutive year as Platinum Sponsor of the programme. He highlighted Airtel’s ongoing investments in Zambia, including more than one hundred million kwacha dedicated to expanding network infrastructure and the rollout of five hundred new 5G sites across the country. 

Baday also confirmed Airtel’s contribution of three hundred and fifty thousand kwacha to the 2025 Innovation Programme and its support for capacity building webinars for the top one hundred innovators. 

He explained that Airtel’s sponsorship reflects the company’s belief that innovation requires mentorship, infrastructure and a supportive ecosystem. Baday congratulated the top ten innovators and reaffirmed Airtel’s commitment to working with start-ups, noting past successful collaborations such as Patumba.

Speaking on behalf of the ZICTA Director-General, Bernard Banda expressed gratitude for the strong support offered by the Ministry and the various partners. He noted that the programme has continued to grow steadily over the past eight years. This year, one hundred innovators were nurtured and ten received commercialisation support valued at nearly five hundred thousand kwacha. 

Mr Banda encouraged all participants, whether selected in the top ten or not, to continue refining and commercialising their solutions. He urged them to use the networking opportunities at the event to connect with potential financiers, off-takers and industry partners.

Banda concluded by noting that the strength of the programme lies in collaboration and that sustained commitment from all stakeholders will continue to shape Zambia’s digital future.