Zambia–Czech Technology Forum Boosts Industrial Growth and Digital Innovation
The Zambia–Czech Technology and Innovation Forum is underway in Lusaka, bringing together government officials, innovators, business leaders, and technology experts from Zambia and the Czech Republic to explore practical cooperation in science, technology, and industrial development.
The forum aims to forge partnerships that promote local manufacturing, job creation, digital transformation, and sustainable economic growth, positioning Zambia as a hub for knowledge-driven industries in Southern Africa.
The high-level event is jointly organised by Afripoli, the Ministry of Technology and Science, the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Lusaka. It focuses on energy solutions, artificial intelligence (AI), satellite and drone technology, cybersecurity, and innovation-driven enterprises, highlighting opportunities for Zambia and Czechia to co-create solutions aligned with Zambia’s Vision 2030 and the Czech Republic’s innovation strategy.
Afripoli Founder and Director Petr Boháček called for deeper collaboration between the two countries, noting a shared vision for sustainable development built on mutual benefit and knowledge transfer. “Together, we can build industries that generate jobs, transfer knowledge, and develop a strong knowledge-based economy,” he said. Boháček highlighted Zambia’s potential in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, drone and satellite production, and cybersecurity.
He emphasised localisation of solar panel and battery production, the use of satellite and drone data for agriculture and environmental management, and strengthening cybersecurity as part of Zambia’s digital transformation agenda.
Czech Republic Ambassador to Zambia, H.E. Jiří Kyrian, urged the forum to move from discussion to tangible results. “The forum has a simple purpose — to turn ideas into action. Czechia is ready to transfer advanced technologies and expertise to support Zambia’s development agenda,” he said.
Discussions at the forum are focusing on satellite and earth observation technologies for forest monitoring and infrastructure planning, AI and digital tools for public service delivery, drones for wildlife protection and farm management, and clean energy solutions for off-grid communities, schools, and clinics. Ambassador Kyrian highlighted Czech innovators such as TRL Space, Alfred Poly, and Order Institute, who are ready to co-design and implement solutions with Zambian partners.
The Ambassador also highlighted capacity building, noting that between 20 and 25 Zambian students annually receive fully funded scholarships at leading Czech universities. He added that programmes like the UNDP Challenge Fund and B2B Programme facilitate joint ventures between Czech and Zambian enterprises. “If we leave today with even two or three focused pilot projects and a plan for scale-up, this forum will have achieved its goal,” Kyrian said.
Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Mutati, emphasised the need to move from discussions to practical results that drive national transformation. “Our expectation from this engagement is transformation, progress that replaces underdevelopment with innovation. As President Hakainde Hichilema reminds us, what matters most is delivery,” Mutati said.
Mutati highlighted five pillars of Zambia’s digital transformation strategy: a strong regulatory framework, investment in digital infrastructure, enhanced cyber resilience, adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, and strategic partnerships.
He noted Zambia’s fibre connectivity to all eight neighbouring countries, aiming for 92 percent digital connectivity by 2026, and the country’s improvement in global cybersecurity ranking from 168 in 2021 to 92 in 2024. He also stressed the role of AI in agriculture, allowing farmers to identify crop diseases and receive instant recommendations.
The Minister called for Czech collaboration in satellite and drone technology to enhance environmental protection, wildlife conservation, and curb illegal mining. He also urged easier access to the Czech innovation fund, highlighting limited financing as a major challenge for Zambian innovators. Mutati proposed three pilot projects: operationalising the innovation fund, applying satellite technology for environmental monitoring, and launching an AI-driven project in agriculture or mining.
The forum is expected to conclude with a shared commitment from both nations to strengthen cooperation, foster industrial growth, and drive sustainable development, ensuring Zambia achieves its Vision 2030 goals through innovation and technological partnership. “Czechia may be small, but together we can achieve great things,” Mutati said.
