The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has intensified its drive to bridge the digital divide by taking ICT infrastructure and specialised learning tools to underserved communities, including children living with disabilities.
A ZICTA team, comprising Board members and Management led by Director General Eng. Collins Mbulo and Board Vice Chairperson Mr. Selvas Mwanza, is currently in Muchinga Province to monitor ICT infrastructure development. The team paid a courtesy call on Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Brian Sichande today.
During the meeting, Mr. Mwanza explained the Authority’s universal access and service mandate. He said ZICTA is committed to serving the underserved by building critical ICT infrastructure in schools, health facilities, and agriculture sectors.
“We are providing fiber internet, computers, printers, and projectors to ensure that children in rural areas do not feel any less than the children in Lusaka,” Mr. Mwanza stated. He noted that network challenges often leave communities lagging behind without access to computers and the internet, a gap ZICTA is working to close by erecting communication towers across Muchinga.
The Board Vice Chairperson added that the tour covers three provinces to inspect projects and sensitise stakeholders on ZICTA’s mandate, including the transfer of cyber security functions to an agency through an Act of Parliament.
Director General Eng. Collins Mbulo revealed tangible progress in the province, announcing that government through ZICTA has erected 17 Network Towers covering a population of approximately 110,000 that were previously not covered across the Province.
In response, Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Brian Sichande hailed communication as key to development. He assured the team of the provincial administration’s full support, applauding the construction of towers in the province. “This will improve communication and enhance good service delivery,” Mr. Sichande said, referencing the country’s digital migration agenda.
Demonstrating government’s principle that no child should be left behind, the team visited Chinsali Day Special School to check on the equipment donated earlier to enhance essential assistive technology. The school has a total enrollment of 425 learners, 193 boys and 232 girls. Among them, 65 have hearing impairments, 16 are visually impaired, 23 have learning disabilities, and 3 have physical disabilities.
To remove barriers to learning, ZICTA donated 10 computers, 5 JAWS (Job Access With Speech) computers for the visually impaired, 1 braille printer, 1 tablet, 1 projector, 10 headsets, 1 swell printer, swell paper, braille paper, and 2 swell markers.
This intervention aligns with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision of using technology to create an inclusive education system. The President has consistently emphasized that despite a child’s ability or disability, leaving no one behind is a non-negotiable priority for the New Dawn government.
Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority
Presidential Delivery Unit Zambia
Ministry of Technology and Science – Zambia
