Zambia Leads COMESA Digital Talks
As Government Drives Responsible AI Adoption and Inclusive Digital Transformation and stronger policies, regional cooperation as COMESA develops AI and digital inclusion frameworks under IDEA programme
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka. Zambia24 – (13-7-2026) -- Zambia has called for stronger regional cooperation, responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and inclusive access to digital technologies as COMESA member states begin consultations aimed at developing regional frameworks for artificial intelligence and digital inclusion.
Habeenzu said artificial intelligence presented significant opportunities for economic growth and development, with global projections indicating that AI could contribute more than US$15.7 trillion to the world economy by 2030, while Africa could capture about US$1.2 trillion if the technology was adopted responsibly.
He said AI applications were already transforming key sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, education and financial services.
“In agriculture, AI-enabled systems are already helping increase productivity through precision farming and climate-smart solutions. In healthcare, AI diagnostics have the potential to improve patient outcomes, while adaptive learning platforms are helping address gaps in education,” Habeenzu said.
He added that AI-driven financial solutions could help expand access to credit and savings for populations that remained underserved by formal financial systems.
However, Habeenzu stressed that these opportunities needed to be supported by strong governance systems, warning that the absence of harmonised policies and regulations could result in fragmented approaches, inconsistent outcomes and missed opportunities.
“While these opportunities are being harnessed, we must ensure that they are accompanied by responsible governance across COMESA member states. Without harmonised frameworks, we risk fragmented approaches, inconsistent outcomes and missed opportunities,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary said the consultation would help identify Zambia’s policy, regulatory and institutional gaps, develop high-impact AI use cases across sectors and contribute to the development of a regional AI strategy, policy guidelines and regulatory frameworks.
He noted that Zambia had already established key digital governance measures, including data protection regulations, but there was need to strengthen existing frameworks to support the growth of artificial intelligence.
Habeenzu said Zambia was advancing digital transformation through investments in broadband connectivity, e-government services, cybersecurity, digital identity and digital payments.
“Digital inclusion is not only about access. It is about ensuring meaningful participation. Women, persons with disabilities, rural communities and small businesses must all benefit,” he said.
He revealed that mobile broadband penetration in Zambia had increased to 72 percent in 2025, compared to about 14 percent a decade earlier, while more than 300 communication towers had been added across the country since 2022.
Habeenzu said Zambia was working with COMESA and the World Bank under the Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) programme, which supports countries in expanding digital access, strengthening infrastructure and harmonising policies.
He said the programme, which mobilises about US$2.48 billion and supports more than 15 countries, would play an important role in strengthening regional digital integration.
The Permanent Secretary urged participants to focus on key questions, including how Zambia and the region could responsibly harness AI for development, which regulatory gaps required urgent attention and how countries could establish frameworks that encourage innovation while protecting public trust.
“Government alone cannot achieve digital transformation. It requires collaboration among the public sector, private sector, academia, civil society, development partners and regional institutions,” Habeenzu said.
Chitundu said the engagement provided an important platform for governments, regulators, private sector players, academia, civil society and development partners to exchange experiences, share best practices and contribute to shaping the future of digital transformation in Eastern and Southern Africa.
He said the consultations marked an important milestone in implementing two strategic assignments under the IDEA programme — the development of a regional artificial intelligence strategy and supporting policy and legal frameworks, as well as the development of a regional digital inclusion strategy, action plan and regulatory frameworks.
“The consultations provide an excellent platform for bringing together government, regulators, private sector, academia, civil society and development partners to exchange experiences, share best practices and shape the future of digital transformation across the region,” Chitundu said.
He said the strength of the consultation process was based on recognising that there was no single pathway to digital transformation, as each COMESA member state had different experiences, priorities, opportunities and challenges.
“Each member state brings unique experiences and priorities. Sharing these perspectives with other participating countries will help ensure that the regional artificial intelligence and digital inclusion frameworks are practical, inclusive and responsive to the realities of our region,” he said.
Chitundu said the IDEA programme was focused on strengthening the enabling environment for digital transformation by expanding digital access, improving digital public infrastructure, strengthening policy and legal frameworks, building digital skills and deepening regional digital integration.
He said artificial intelligence and emerging technologies offered opportunities to improve public service delivery, modernise agriculture, strengthen healthcare systems, increase productivity, facilitate trade and create new economic opportunities.
However, he cautioned that AI adoption must be supported by appropriate governance measures addressing ethics, transparency, accountability, cybersecurity, privacy and oversight.
Chitundu said the Zambia consultations formed part of a wider regional process taking place across COMESA member states to ensure that the final strategies, action plans and guidelines reflected national realities while promoting regional cooperation and interoperability.
He called on delegates to actively participate in the discussions, saying their experiences and recommendations would directly contribute to the development of practical regional frameworks for AI governance and digital inclusion.
The two-day engagement brings together government officials, regulators, private sector representatives, academics, civil society organisations and development partners to advance discussions on the future of digital transformation in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Comments
Post a Comment