The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) announced that the ICT sector developed significantly in 2024, despite economic challenges.
According to ZICTA’s 2024 Annual Market Report, mobile phone subscriptions increased by 9.5%, from 21.1 million in 2023 to 23.2 million in 2024.
Internet subscriptions also climbed by 7%, reaching 13.5 million.
According to ZICTA Manager Corporate Communications Hanford Chaaba, more consumers have adopted mobile money services, with transaction volumes increasing by 33% and transaction values increasing by 8%.
However, rising operational costs due to power shortages, inflation, and currency devaluation increased the cost of ICT services slightly.
Despite this, mobile network providers reported $404.5 million ( K11.5 bn) in revenue, a 21% increase over the previous year.
To boost digital access, the government developed the ZamFree Initiative, which provides free public Wi-Fi in certain cities, as well as Zambia’s first National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, which promotes safe AI use.
A collaboration between the government and Google also resulted in the formation of an AI Centre of Excellence at the University of Zambia, which aims to improve digital skills and innovation.
Zambia also achieved progress in cybersecurity, with its Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) score rising to 92.6 percent, significantly higher than the global average of 65.7 percent.
Investment in infrastructure continued, with the number of telecommunication towers rising from 3,568 to 3,626, while telecommunication sites increased by 10% to 14,519.
ZICTA, which is led by Collins Mbulo as director general, said it is expecting the ICT sector to experience further growth, especially the number of mobile cellular subscriptions, which is projected to reach approximately 24.5 million by the end of 2025.
The organisation said: “Looking ahead, the outlook for the ICT sector remains optimistic, supported by continued infrastructure investment, government digital transformation initiatives and expected improvements in economic conditions. The number of mobile cellular subscriptions is projected to grow to approximately 24.5 million by the end of 2025.”
Source: Extensia
