Zambia Champions Cultural Heritage Digitalisation at Xi’an Forum
Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding and modernising cultural heritage through digital technology, with Minister of Tourism, Honourable Rodney Sikumba, MP, representing the country at the Inaugural 2025 Cultural Heritage Digitalisation Forum in Xi’an.
Speaking under the theme “Bridging History through Digitalisation, Building Civilisation with Intelligence,” Minister Sikumba described cultural heritage as both a sacred national inheritance and a driver of jobs and inclusive growth.
He positioned Zambia’s efforts within a coherent national policy agenda, anchored in the 2023–2026 National Digital Transformation Strategy and its five ‘D’ pillars: infrastructure, heritage services access platforms, digitisation of cultural heritage services, digital skills, and entrepreneurship and innovation in the cultural landscape.
These initiatives complement the National Museums Policy and the Electronic Government Act No. 41 of 2021, while ongoing reforms to the Museums Act and the National Heritage Conservation Commission framework are set to further strengthen digital solutions and encourage public–private collaboration.
Practical progress is already visible. Institutions such as the Livingstone Museum have begun digitising collections and oral traditions, turning policy commitments into tangible public value. Notably, through Zambia–China cooperation, the country now hosts its first digital museum, the TAZARA Memorial Museum, which honours the partnership between Zambia, Tanzania, and the People’s Republic of China during the construction of the TAZARA Railway.
The platform highlights historic discussions between President Kenneth Kaunda, Chairman Mao Zedong and President Julius Nyerere, underscoring the railway’s role as both a symbol of solidarity and a strategic trade corridor.
Minister Sikumba invited further collaboration with international partners and private investors across the culture–tech value chain, emphasising Zambia’s readiness to attract investment that preserves heritage while creating jobs and enterprise opportunities for youth and communities.
He also expressed gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Province of Shaanxi, the World Internet Conference, and cooperating partners for their support in advancing digital transformation in Zambia’s cultural heritage sector.
“This partnership approach will continue to guide Zambia’s actions as the country scales up an inclusive and modern heritage ecosystem,” the Minister said.
