Stronger Networks, Better Connectivity for Zambians

As part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing digital connectivity across Zambia, the Ministry of Technology and Science conducted a ministerial site visit to the Nyumba Yanga and Chalala (Shantumbu) Airtel telecommunications towers. 

The visit provided an opportunity to assess infrastructure investments, engage directly with industry leadership and technical teams, and reaffirm the Government’s determination to create an enabling environment for accelerated digital transformation.

The inspection supports national priorities to expand network coverage, improve service reliability, bridge the digital divide, and promote socio-economic development through robust and resilient telecommunications infrastructure.

The primary objectives of the ministerial site visit were to:

• Assess the operational status, safety, and technical performance of the Airtel tower infrastructure;
• Verify Airtel Zambia’s progress on its nationwide network expansion and service quality improvement programme;
• Evaluate innovative power solutions, including solar-based systems, to ensure 24/7 network availability;
• Engage with Airtel management and engineers on challenges, investments, and timelines for service improvement; and
• Reinforce Government policy reforms designed to accelerate infrastructure deployment and enhance service delivery.

Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Mutati, acknowledged public concerns regarding dropped calls and service quality. He noted that the Government had engaged Airtel Zambia’s leadership to ensure decisive action. 

He praised Airtel for its significant investment of USD 107 million towards the rollout of 406 new sites, describing it as a major step towards improved connectivity and wider access to digital services for Zambians.

Hon. Mutati highlighted the Government’s regulatory reforms, which include the removal of lengthy approval processes that previously delayed tower construction. He stressed that these measures aim to ensure that investments translate swiftly into tangible services for citizens. 

The Minister also commended Airtel’s adoption of solar-powered solutions supported by the national grid, emphasising that energy resilience is critical to maintaining uninterrupted network operations. 

He noted that such investments generate broader economic benefits, including job creation, increased tax revenue, and enhanced funding for community development initiatives such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Airtel Zambia Managing Director, Mr. Hussam Baday, expressed appreciation for the Ministerial visit and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering a high-quality network. He confirmed that 126 new sites are already operational, with the inspected sites forming part of the broader 406-site rollout, scheduled for completion by the end of March.

Mr. Baday described the USD 107 million investment as the largest single-year expenditure in Airtel Zambia’s history, reflecting the company’s dedication to narrowing the digital divide, expanding coverage, improving service quality, and strengthening power resilience across all sites. He highlighted Airtel’s proactive response to customer feedback and ongoing investment in engineering capacity to ensure sustained network excellence.

He concluded by thanking the Government for providing a supportive policy environment and acknowledging the efforts of Airtel engineers and partners in delivering improved connectivity nationwide.