Zambia, Finland Deepen Tech Ties to Drive AI and Digital Growth
Zambia and Finland have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in technology, innovation and digital transformation following high-level talks between the two countries’ ministers.
The Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati, MP, held a meeting with Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Hon. Sakari Puisto, during which both sides reviewed ongoing collaboration and outlined future areas of partnership.
Hon. Mutati said Zambia and Finland have enjoyed a productive and forward-looking relationship, particularly in the technology and innovation sectors. He highlighted several priority areas shaping the partnership, beginning with Finland’s critical role in supporting Zambia to develop its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
He noted that Zambia has since moved from policy formulation to implementation, with the first phase involving the piloting of artificial intelligence in the health sector through 20 AI-driven health centres. The initiative aims to improve service delivery and health outcomes by harnessing emerging technologies.
The Minister further pointed to cooperation in strengthening Zambia’s innovation ecosystem, with Finland supporting initiatives such as Kopala, which focus on nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship. He said efforts are being scaled up to ensure tangible and sustainable results.
Hon. Mutati also revealed that discussions are underway to expand partnerships with Finnish companies, including Nokia, with the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding. He recalled that Nokia has previously supported and trained 100 entrepreneurs, significantly contributing to digital skills development and enterprise growth in Zambia.
Addressing challenges in the digital sector, the Minister said digital literacy in Zambia currently stands at about 34 percent, highlighting the urgent need to build digital competencies if the country is to participate meaningfully in the future digital economy. He expressed appreciation for Finland’s continued support in this area.
Hon. Mutati concluded by thanking the Government of Finland for the strong partnership and expressed optimism about deepening cooperation for mutual benefit.
For his part, Hon. Sakari Puisto said education and the application of artificial intelligence remain central to the shared priorities of the two countries. He noted that Zambia has established meaningful links with Finland’s startup ecosystem, particularly through engagement with the SLUSH innovation platform, which has opened opportunities for knowledge exchange and investment.
Minister Puisto also highlighted prospects for expanding cooperation with Finnish companies such as Nokia, as well as strengthening innovation in the mining sector, where Finland has extensive expertise. He said Finnish companies are already partnering with Zambian firms, with significant potential to further integrate Finnish mining technologies with Zambia’s growing innovation capacity.
He reaffirmed Finland’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Zambia and exploring new areas of cooperation that promote sustainable growth and innovation.
