Zambia has officially launched its 2025 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy, a bold and strategic blueprint aimed at positioning the country as a competitive player in the global knowledge economy. The policy sets out an ambitious agenda to harness science, technology, and innovation as powerful tools for driving inclusive growth, sustainable development, and economic transformation.
At the launch event, Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, emphasized the practical role of innovation in realizing Zambia’s development goals. He highlighted how science must translate into tangible outcomes to meet the country’s ambitious production and export targets.
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“When President Hakainde Hichilema says we need to export 1 billion U.S. dollars’ worth of beef, he means that we should improve the genetics and grow a cow faster and also eradicate diseases faster in order to get a 1-billion-dollar worth of export. When the President says we need to produce 10 billion tons of maize, what he is saying is that we should move from the lab and put food on the table and Science and Innovation is the answer. The policy is critical because it comes at a time when the global economy is being shaped by technological change from artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to space science, biotechnology and green energy, indicating that the future belongs to nations that innovate, adapt, and transform.”
To realize these goals, the government has earmarked over ZMW 3 billion for research and development (R&D), a move aimed at strengthening Zambia’s innovation ecosystem. The policy outlines key actions, including the establishment of national research priorities, modernization of scientific infrastructure, and the development of a centralized national database of research projects to promote collaboration and data-driven decision making.
Recognizing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, the policy will allocate ZMW 8 million toward developing regulatory frameworks, ethical guidelines, educational programs, and public awareness campaigns. These initiatives are designed to establish Zambia as a regional hub for responsible and forward-thinking technological advancement.
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The policy also focuses on the commercialization of innovation, with plans to establish five new technology transfer offices, innovation hubs, and science parks. A national startup database and commercialization guidelines will support the scaling of tech-based enterprises, helping to bridge the gap between research and real-world application.
Human capital development forms a core pillar of the policy. Scholarships, exchange programs, and mentorship initiatives will support the training of at least 500 postgraduate students in STEM disciplines. The government also plans to enhance engagement with the Zambian diaspora, introduce legal protections for indigenous knowledge systems, and increase gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) from 0.28% to 0.50% by 2029.
Eng. Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Technology and Science, added, “We are proud to have worked collaboratively with our partners in academia, industry, civil society, and international organizations to craft a policy that is inclusive, forward looking and responsive to the emerging technological realities and opportunities. The STI Policy we are launching today is a shared National vision for an innovative Zambia. It comes at a critical juncture when the world is advancing rapidly in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, green technologies, space exploration, and digital transformation.”
With this comprehensive framework in place, Zambia is not only prepared to navigate the technological shifts of the future but is also poised to lead innovation on the African continent. The 2025 STI Policy marks a decisive step toward building a knowledge-driven economy, one rooted in science, empowered by innovation, and designed for resilience and prosperity.
