• Zambia and Czech Republic agree to deepen digital cooperation
• Focus areas include cybersecurity, talent training, and digital public services

Zambia and the Czech Republic have committed to strengthening their partnership to accelerate the southern African nation's digital transformation. The deepened cooperation follows a meeting last week in Lusaka between Czech Deputy Prime Minister Marian Jurečka and Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati.

“We welcome the cooperation between the two countries to try and involve solutions that will protect our people in the Cyber Space, and that remains a key priority as Zambia. In order to have a digital Zambia, we need to digitize government records, and that is another area we think we can cooperate in,” Mutati said.

Beyond cybersecurity, the collaboration encompasses the exchange of best practices in data management and processing for both central government operations and the security of public infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.

This initiative expands on Zambia’s national digital strategy, launched in 2022, and further solidifies bilateral relations between the two countries. These ties have recently intensified through joint projects spanning education, health, and agriculture. The Czech Republic is also supporting the development of Zambian talent by offering scholarships in critical fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and information technology.

The intensified cooperation is expected to help Zambia better secure its cyberspace and hasten its digital transition. Following the Zambian Parliament's adoption of the Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Act in April, the government is eager to reinforce its capacity to safeguard citizens in the digital realm through appropriate technological tools.

According to DataReportal, Zambia recorded 3.70 million active social media users as of January 2025, representing 17.1% of the population. This increasing digital engagement has coincided with a surge in cyber threats, prompting authorities to prioritize digital trust as a national imperative.

Furthermore, the Czech Republic provides a tangible illustration of the efficiency gains achievable through digitization. Between 2019 and 2023, the country reduced its civil service workforce by 10% through the adoption of digital solutions and the application of artificial intelligence, concurrently enhancing service quality. Zambia is now considering adopting this model to modernize its public administration and improve access to digital public services.

By Samira Njoya,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji