MTN AppJoy on Alola Smartphones Brings Affordable Digital Access and New Opportunities to Zambians
MTN Zambia has launched AppJoy, a new digital lifestyle application designed to accelerate digital inclusion and drive smartphone adoption across the country.
The application, developed by Muen in partnership with Huawei, is available exclusively on MTN’s affordable Alola smartphone range and targets first-time and emerging digital users.
The official launch, held in Lusaka, brought together senior government officials, industry leaders and technology partners, highlighting the importance of collaboration in advancing Zambia’s national digital transformation agenda.
AppJoy enhances the Alola smartphone experience by integrating secure cloud storage, short-form entertainment content and a selection of mobile games into a single, user-friendly platform. The application is designed to strengthen the Alola ecosystem by making smartphones more engaging, practical and accessible for new internet users.
Speaking at the launch, MTN Zambia Chief Executive Officer Mr Abbad Reda reaffirmed the company’s commitment to digital inclusion, stating that affordable technology remains central to ensuring that every Zambian can participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
Mr Reda said MTN aims to bridge both the coverage and usage gaps by making reliable, internet-enabled devices widely accessible. He revealed that since the introduction of the Alola 4G smartphone, more than 100,000 Zambians, many of them first-time internet users, have transitioned from basic mobile phones into the digital ecosystem.
“These users are now able to learn, communicate, transact and innovate in ways that were previously out of reach,” Mr Reda said.
He described the launch of AppJoy as a significant milestone, noting that the platform provides a safe, engaging and confidence-building digital experience through entertainment, gaming, cloud storage and secure access. Mr Reda emphasised that digital inclusion goes beyond technology and requires strong partnerships with Huawei, Muen and Mobile Wire, supported by the Government of Zambia through the Ministry of Technology and Science.
He said the initiative reflects a shared vision of empowerment, ensuring that students, farmers, traders and artisans across the country have equal access to digital tools that enhance skills, livelihoods and opportunities.
Huawei Vice President Mr Alex Xing reaffirmed the company’s long-standing commitment to Zambia’s digital transformation, describing digital inclusion as the foundation of national development.
Mr Xing thanked the Zambian Government and MTN Zambia for their enduring partnership, noting that Huawei has supported Zambia’s digital ambitions for over two decades through initiatives such as rural connectivity projects, digital villages and the National Data Centre. He added that Huawei has also invested in local capacity building by partnering with 14 universities and training more than 3,000 Zambian ICT professionals.
He described the launch of AppJoy as a major milestone in Huawei’s 18-year strategic cooperation with MTN Zambia, which has delivered the country’s first 3G, 4G and 5G networks. According to Mr Xing, AppJoy will help break down barriers to smartphone access and accelerate Zambia’s digitalisation by combining reliable connectivity, locally relevant content and advanced technology.
Meanwhile, Minister of Technology and Science Hon. Felix C. Mutati welcomed the initiative, describing digital inclusion as both an economic and social imperative.
The Minister noted that while affordability remains a challenge, low digital literacy, currently below 30 percent, continues to limit wider digital adoption. He said Government, through the Presidential Delivery Unit, is targeting to digitally connect and empower 80 percent of the population while onboarding 20 percent into the digital economy.
Hon. Mutati praised private-sector innovation and partnerships, noting that initiatives such as MTN’s Alola smartphones and the AppJoy platform have already added more than 100,000 new digital users. He also commended the organisers for delivering a successful and well-coordinated launch.
