Gov’t Pledges AI in Schools, Innovation Funding and Youth STEM Investment at Lusaka Fundraising Dinner
The STEM Foundation hosted a high-level fundraising dinner at the Urban Hotel in Lusaka, rallying government, private sector leaders and development partners behind efforts to complete and equip its Innovation Hub, an initiative positioned as central to Zambia’s shift towards a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.
The event came at a time when emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data science and digital systems are reshaping global development pathways, intensifying calls for stronger investment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Speaking as Guest of Honour, Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Mutati, MP, underscored that technology is not merely a tool but a driver of societal transformation and economic growth.
He noted that Zambia’s technology sector is among the fastest-growing contributors to GDP and reaffirmed government’s commitment to integrating artificial intelligence and robotics into the national curriculum.
He further emphasised the importance of protecting locally developed innovations, stressing that intellectual property generated by young Zambian innovators should deliver national benefit.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure, including improved connectivity and strategic support for innovation hubs, while calling for strengthened collaboration across sectors in the spirit of shared national responsibility.
STEM Foundation Board Chair, Christopher Mundia, described the fundraising dinner as a collective declaration of belief in Zambia’s potential to compete globally through innovation.
He reflected on the Foundation’s impact since 2018, noting that thousands of learners have benefited from STEM boot camps, training programmes and partnerships designed to expand access to science and technology education.
However, he acknowledged persistent inequalities in access, particularly in underserved communities, and called on stakeholders to support the completion of the Innovation Hub and the expansion of inclusive programmes, with a strong focus on increasing opportunities for girls in STEM fields.
Founder Michelo Moonga outlined the Foundation’s journey, highlighting how vision, resilience and partnerships have shaped its growth into a leading STEM institution.
He pointed to milestones including international collaborations and the ongoing development of the Innovation Hub, reaffirming the Foundation’s ambition to scale impact and nurture the next generation of innovators.
Collectively, the discussions reinforced a unified message: advancing STEM is not solely an educational agenda but a national imperative tied to economic resilience, competitiveness and technological sovereignty.
The fundraising dinner concluded with a renewed call for coordinated investment from all stakeholders, positioning Zambia’s youth as central to the country’s transition from a consumer of technology to a creator of solutions in the global digital economy.
