The World Bank Group has approved the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP), a project that aims to support Zambian government efforts to increase access to, and inclusive use of, the internet and digitally enabled services.
With a strong emphasis on fostering digital inclusion, the World Bank says the project aims to empower women and girls, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities through the use of digital public services.
The DZAP is structured around four strategic pillars. The first, focused on affordable broadband, involves extending backbone and last-mile connectivity and enhancing the enabling environment. The second, highlighting interoperable and secure platforms, aims to facilitate digital government services and regional trade.
The third addresses high-impact digital services, supporting sectoral digitalisation and digital skills development. The final pillar is programme management and capacity building, which aims to ensure effective implementation and stakeholder engagement.
Supported by a $100 million International Development Association (IDA) grant to Zambia (as reported here recently) the DZAP is part of the second phase of the regional Inclusive Digitalisation in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA ) programme. Zambia joins Angola, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in this regional effort to foster inclusive digital economies across the region.
The World Bank’s International Development Association helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low-to-zero-interest loans for projects and programmes that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives
The hope, in this case, is that DZAP will enhance digital access, including access to e-government services for faster, more transparent public service delivery. The DZAP will also promote high-impact digital services in sectors such as agriculture through access to market data and smart farming tools, in the education sector through support for e-learning platforms and digital content, and in the health sector through improved digital health records.
Mehnaz Safavian, World Bank Practice Manager for Digital Development for Eastern and Southern Africa adds: “The youth of Zambia are poised to benefit from this project thanks to its support for developing employment-ready digital skills among youth and underserved populations.”
The DZAP project is fully aligned with the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Zambia FY25–29 key pillars focusing on creating more and better jobs, improving human capital, and enhancing climate resilience. It is aligned with Zambia’s vision 2030 aimed at transforming the country into a prosperous, middle-income country by 2030 through creating jobs for its population.
