Zambia and Ghana Forge Strategic Tech and Investment Alliance
Zambia and Ghana have taken further steps to deepen bilateral cooperation in technology, innovation and investment following a high-level Business Cocktail Reception hosted by the Ministry of Technology and Science in Lusaka.
The farewell reception, held in honour of the Ghanaian delegation and innovators who participated in the Zambia–Ghana Business Forum, provided a platform for networking, consolidating engagements and reinforcing partnerships between the two countries’ technology ecosystems.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Technology and Science Hon Felix Mutati emphasised the importance of open engagement between policymakers, regulators and innovators as a catalyst for investment and economic growth.
He said early regulatory concerns raised by investors were resolved through direct dialogue, particularly with the involvement of the central bank, demonstrating that communication rather than policy barriers often presents the main challenge.
Mr Mutati commended Ghanaian technology chief executives for their readiness to invest and transact in Zambia, noting that the country’s open-door policy was already yielding tangible results, including confirmed investments. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to simplifying processes and prioritising business-led solutions.
The Minister also announced plans to lead a Zambian technology delegation to Ghana, highlighting a shared vision of positioning Zambia as a technology hub for Southern Africa and Ghana as a hub for West Africa. He stressed that business-to-business engagement remains central to sustainable economic growth.
Ghana’s Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon Samuel Nartey George, expressed appreciation for Zambia’s hospitality and the openness demonstrated by government institutions and regulators. He said the visit had gone beyond diplomacy to foster genuine partnerships, trust and cultural exchange.
Mr George emphasised that the Ghanaian delegation came to Zambia to collaborate rather than compete, with a focus on partnerships, knowledge sharing and skills transfer. He said Ghanaian companies were committed to working with Zambian professionals and supporting the expansion of Zambian innovations across the region.
He also highlighted opportunities for mutual learning, particularly in energy and digital regulation, and praised Zambia’s shift towards a pro-innovation regulatory approach. He described the engagement as the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership grounded in African solidarity and shared growth.
Minister of Tourism, acting as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Rodney Sinkumba, described the speed at which transactions and partnerships were concluded during the engagements as unprecedented, calling it a milestone in Zambia’s economic diplomacy.
He announced government approval of the Brand Zambia Initiative and called on innovators and creatives to contribute ideas that would shape the country’s national identity and global image.
Mr Sinkumba further highlighted Zambia’s progressive visa-free policy, now extended to over 168 countries including Ghana, and cited the Bilateral Air Service Agreement as a key enabler of trade, tourism and people-to-people exchange. He encouraged participants to promote Zambia as an open, welcoming and investment-ready destination.
Welcoming guests, Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority Director General Eng Collins Mbulo reflected on the successful engagements between Zambian and Ghanaian businesses during the visit.
He reaffirmed ZICTA’s commitment to fostering an enabling regulatory environment and supporting start-ups to grow into sustainable enterprises.
Meanwhile, GSMA representative Mr Hussam Baday commended both governments and regulators for convening a platform that brought together business leaders and innovators. He said telecommunications and digital infrastructure are foundational to economic transformation and enable growth across sectors including agriculture, mining, energy and financial services.
Mr Baday reaffirmed GSMA’s commitment to supporting regional collaboration and knowledge sharing, expressing optimism that the engagements would translate into concrete business outcomes and a shared roadmap for digital development.
