Airtel Zambia and tower company, IHS Zambia, are making steady progress on their joint network expansion with the Zambian government, aiming to deploy 52 new telecom towers by the end of September.
The project, first announced in April, involves building 152 towers nationwide by November 2025 at an estimated cost of USD 14 million. According to Minister of Technology and Science, Felix C. Mutati, 40 towers are already live, with 12 more set to go operational this month, keeping the roll out on track.
“This collaborative effort between the government, ZICTA, Airtel, and IHS Zambia is a powerful testament to the effectiveness of the PPP model,” Mutati said. “By combining the strengths of the public and private sectors, Zambia is rapidly accelerating the development of a robust digital economy.”
Most of the new sites are in Lusaka Province, including two in Silverest, Chongwe. One tower near the University of Lusaka is expected to benefit more than 11,000 students with improved access to educational resources and digital financial services.
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The towers are equipped with a “smart energy system” that combines batteries, generators, and solar power to ensure uninterrupted service and reduce dropped calls and poor connectivity.
Mutati emphasized that the Airtel-IHS partnership is part of a broader national initiative to strengthen digital access through public-private partnerships (PPPs).
ZICTA’s Director of Universal Access and Services, Collins Chomba, noted further progress, with 43 of 51 towers in remote areas already completed and the remainder due by the third quarter. Another 80 towers are slated for construction nationwide in the fourth quarter.
