President Rupiah Banda says government will soon commercialize the ICT sector in the country in order to enhance economic growth.
Mr. Banda says government wants to give specific emphasis to the growth of the sector because it has realized that ICT has the potential to transform Zambia’s economy more rapidly than other sectors.
President Banda disclosed this to ZANIS in an interview in Addis Ababa today shortly before departure for South Africa where he is scheduled to undergo a medical review.
The President said government has already taken first steps in its plans to commercialize the sector by inviting foreign investors to invest in ICT.
The President also disclosed that the World Bank has shown willingness to help the country grow the ICT sector.
He said during a meeting held yesterday, the bank pledged to transform the ZAMTEL ICT Training school in Ndola into a viable institution.
And President Banda says Zambia will take a leaf from Ethiopia on how that country has managed to grow its economy within a short period of time.
Mr. Banda said Ethiopia had come up with a deliberate policy of setting up colleges and schools in rural areas where many people have been trained in various skills.
President Rupiah Banda was in Addis Ababa Ethiopia to attend the 14th ordinary session of the African Union (AU) whose theme was, ‘New Information and Communication Technologies in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Development’. The summit closed today.
As chairperson of the Great Lakes Region, Zambia’s President Rupiah Banda reported to the summit on the progress made so far from the time he took over the chair.
On the sidelines of the summit, President Banda held closed door meetings with World Bank president Robert Zeolleck and US head of delegation to the AU Lauren Ladenson.
The summit witnessed the change of guard between outgoing chairperson Colonel Muhammar Gaddafi of Libya and Malawian President Dr Bingu Wamutharika who has taken over as chairman.
The summit also witnessed the launch the AU flag.
ZANIS
Sounds good make it happen to much talk
Don’t just talk please walk the talk… We all know that this sector has potential for growth, just make it happen period.
These pronouncements and declarations that are always being issued at airports across the Globe are are now irritating shamonako. Not surprisingly, he’s now headed to another country where he’ll tell us anotehr story on arrival at OR Tambo International airport. I honestly give up on this man.
Will commercialize when he has interest! See how stupid some people can be?
It has been long over due Small countries like Rwanda are leading the Eastern Block where ICT is concerned The SECOM is right by ur door step but you can not do any thing. If i may ask why make the ZAMTEL ICT Institute Viable when ur plan to sale ZAMTEL itself:):)
LT, What is ICT. When you introduce a subject for the first time you do not use abbreviations in the early part of the article. ICT – Intercontinental trade? inverse cosine transform? Intra company transfer? Ok, I see. It is Information Communication Technologies. Phew! It took a while to work that one out!
#3 Digga
“President Banda disclosed this to ZANIS in an interview in Addis Ababa today shortly before departure for South Africa where he is scheduled to undergo a medical review.”
I see your frustrations, but is it not the per diem journalists who want to get scoops to justify their sangwapo trips abroad with the President?
What exactly are they commercialising. Can someone elaborate please.
#8 I am also at a loss to understand what our esteemed leader means by commercialising ICT. As far as I am aware ICT is already big business world-wide. Even Zambia has a small but growing ICT sector, stiffled only by lack of reliable and affordable telecommunication services.