• Zambia building 152 new telecom towers, 40 already in service
• Airtel, IHS and regulator ICTA lead rollout to boost rural connectivity
• Project aims to support 4G/5G, e-learning, telehealth and digital finance

The Zambian government, in partnership with Airtel and infrastructure provider IHS Zambia, announced on Saturday, September 13, the rollout of 152 new telecom towers nationwide. Forty are already operational, 12 more will come online by the end of September, and the rest are expected to be in service by November 2025. The initiative aims to improve connectivity and bridge the digital divide, especially in rural and remote areas.

The program is carried out with the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA), which is overseeing the expansion of towers in underserved regions. Beyond expanding coverage, the project also seeks to modernize the network by accelerating the shift to 4G and 5G. Each tower is equipped with hybrid energy systems—solar panels, batteries, and generators—to ensure uninterrupted operation even during power outages.

The announcement comes as internet access in Zambia remains limited. According to DataReportal, penetration stood at 33% in early 2025, or about 7.1 million users, compared with 31% a year earlier. Despite progress, large rural areas remain underserved. In the International Telecommunication Union’s 2025 ICT Development Index, Zambia ranked 18th in Africa with a score of 60.3, underlining the distance still to be covered in strengthening digital infrastructure.

The new towers are expected to transform access to digital services in Zambia. By expanding connectivity, they will support online education, telehealth, financial inclusion, and e-commerce, while also boosting the local economy through easier digital transactions and greater innovation in previously marginalized areas.