Zambia’s Leaders Explore AI as Catalyst for Economic Transformation
Thirty of Zambia’s top executives gathered this week at an exclusive briefing hosted by Pranary, exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be operationalised to drive enterprise leadership and national digital transformation.
The Honourable Felix Chipota Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, described AI as a “foundational utility” akin to electricity, an essential tool that does not require deep technical knowledge but demands strong leadership, robust infrastructure, and a forward-thinking mindset.
He stressed that AI complements human intelligence, while ethical leadership and judgment remain uniquely human responsibilities.
Highlighting four pillars critical to AI adoption, Minister Mutati emphasised: digital infrastructure including fibre and 5G readiness, energy security, a skilled and adaptive workforce, and trust built through governance and collaboration.
Dr Lelemba Phiri, Director at ATG, underscored that people are the decisive factor in AI success. Citing global evidence, he noted that over 70 percent of digital transformation initiatives fail due to organisational culture and leadership rather than technological limitations.
He shared that the future workforce will increasingly be “U-shaped”, with AI-enabled high performers on one end and a shrinking middle. Leadership, he argued, must focus on visible engagement, output-based performance, psychological safety, continuous learning, and rewarding innovation.
Pranary CEO, Mr Sandras Phiri, highlighted the practical challenges of deploying AI at scale. He warned against clinging to outdated practices what he called “guarding concrete slabs” and urged leaders to view AI as a business transformation initiative rather than merely an IT project.
According to Mr Phiri, Zambia has the potential to leapfrog traditional digitisation by harnessing generative AI to deliver measurable value quickly, particularly leveraging proprietary data in sectors such as mining, finance, insurance, and public administration.
The briefing outlined five key AI readiness areas: exposure to unauthorised tools, strategic alignment with measurable outcomes, governance and compliance, executive ownership, and competitive advantage from proprietary data. Global and local case studies presented during the session confirmed that organisations assessing readiness before deployment consistently outperform those that act without strategy.
The overarching message was clear: AI is no longer optional. When deployed responsibly and guided by human-centred leadership, it can accelerate productivity, resilience, and inclusive growth across Zambia.
Minister Mutati and speakers alike emphasised that technology is the easy part; the real work lies in cultivating the culture, leadership, and mindset necessary to harness its full potential.
