UNZA Unveils Innovation Hub Concept to Tackle Zambia’s Development Challenges

The University of Zambia (UNZA) has presented a groundbreaking Innovation Hub Concept to the Ministry of Technology and Science, aiming to address a wide array of national development challenges ranging from youth unemployment and digital exclusion to healthcare infrastructure and energy crises.

The proposed UNZA Innovation Hub, known as the iVillage Project, is a transformative initiative designed to position Zambia as an innovation-centric economy by fostering collaboration between academia, industry, government, and communities. It aligns with the country’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), Vision 2030, AU Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The hub will focus on sectors including creative arts, textiles and tourism, ICT, FinTech, HealthTech, Smart Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Agritech, and Min Tech. Among its key strategies are curriculum transformation, infrastructure development, project management systems, and building innovation and entrepreneurship capacity.

UNZA aims to create a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem, enabling students and researchers to access mentors, research facilities, and financial tools to transform ideas into scalable solutions—particularly in underserved and rural communities.

Significant progress has already been made:

• A $14 million concept note has been submitted to the African Development Bank for skills development.
• Engagements are ongoing with UNDP to establish a data center and AI hub.
• A pre-feasibility study is underway, including an invitation to submit a $4.6 million concept note to SIDA for research management support.

Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix C. Mutati, commended the initiative, emphasizing six critical building blocks for success: an enabling policy environment, digital infrastructure, coordination, research and entrepreneurship, resource mobilization, and partnerships.

“Money is not in short supply, but innovators are,” said Hon. Mutati, urging UNZA to formalize collaboration through an MOU with the Ministry to realize the vision of making Zambia a continental model for sustainable innovation.