Zambia to Host Digital Government Africa Summit 2024 in Lusaka
Zambia is set to host the Digital Government Africa Summit 2024 from October 2-4, marking a pivotal moment for digital transformation on the continent. This summit will provide a platform for discussions on the future of digital governance and its role in shaping Africa’s economic landscape.
Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance and National Planning, highlighted the summit’s significance, emphasizing that financial inclusion and digital transformation are crucial for Zambia’s prosperity.
“Our economy thrives on innovation and inclusion,” Dr. Musokotwane stated. “The lifecycle of a kwacha reflects the lives of many Zambians, from earning to investing. Financial inclusion must be universal, as it is both a policy and a moral imperative.”
Zambia’s financial inclusion strategy, spearheaded by the Bank of Zambia, aims to broaden access to financial services and bridge the gender gap in financial literacy. Notably, Zambia is the first nation to join the “Financial Literacy for All” initiative, in partnership with Operation HOPE, focusing on economic empowerment through financial education.
Dr. Musokotwane also underscored the transformative impact of digital technologies. “Digitisation is key to unlocking our economic potential,” he remarked. “Our National Digital Transformation Strategy 2023-2027 paves the way for a digital economy, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.”
The summit will spotlight Zambia’s achievements, including its place among the top 10 low-income countries on the E-Government Development Index and significant growth in mobile money transactions.
Despite progress, challenges such as the digital divide between urban and rural areas persist, and efforts to enhance digital and financial literacy continue.
Fintech innovations are driving Zambia’s digital transformation, reshaping the financial sector and creating new opportunities for growth.
“The macroeconomic impact of digital transformation is profound,” Dr. Musokotwane noted. “Digital systems in government operations could save up to 1.1% of GDP, benefiting social investments and enhancing both private and public sector productivity.”
