• MTN and regulator ZICTA launch solar-assisted telecom towers to extend mobile broadband to rural communities.

• Zambia targets nationwide broadband coverage and reduced digital divide under its ICT and digital transformation plans.

• Expanded connectivity supports access to digital services, mobile money, and economic participation in underserved areas.

A renewable-powered telecommunications tower was officially commissioned in Kapungwe (Sinda District, Eastern Province, Zambia) on February 24, 2026 by the Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Mutati, as part of a nationwide rural connectivity programme led by the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) in partnership with MTN Zambia. The project aims to expand mobile and internet coverage to previously underserved communities, support digital inclusion, and enable services such as e-learning, mobile banking, e-health, and agricultural information access. The solar-powered infrastructure is part of a broader rollout of dozens of new towers across rural Zambia to reduce connectivity gaps and advance the country’s digital economy agenda.

At the inauguration of the Kapungwe tower in Sinda District, Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati said the project illustrates the government’s commitment to extending connectivity to underserved areas as part of a broader digital-inclusion drive. He described the infrastructure as “a vital bridge connecting the people of Kapungwe Ward to the rest of Zambia and the global digital economy,” stressing that “connectivity is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity.” The minister added that rural communities had “sat on the margins of the digital revolution” for too long and that authorities were determined to change that reality through targeted deployments. According to him, the tower will support education, digital entrepreneurship, mobile banking, e-health services and access to agricultural information, noting that more than 50 similar sites have already been built nationwide with support from partners including MTN Zambia and the regulator Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority. He emphasized that the rollout reflects a national pledge that “no part of Zambia should remain isolated” as the country advances toward a digital economy.

The rollout of renewable-energy towers aligns with Zambia’s national digital transformation goals, which include expanding broadband access, increasing digital exposure, and ensuring that mobile connectivity is accessible across the country. Government and regulator efforts have driven the construction and commissioning of communication towers nationwide, with recent initiatives seeing 49 new towers completed in Eastern Province and plans to build additional sites. These towers are expected to enhance mobile broadband coverage, currently approaching 96% of the population for 3G/4G services, and support connectivity for households, small businesses, and digital services such as mobile money, e-commerce, and online education.

Zambia’s broader ICT strategy targets near-universality in network coverage and digital inclusion. Previous policy documents show ambitions to increase internet access for 80% of the population by 2026 and to achieve full network coverage through continued investment in infrastructure, including fiber backbones, wireless networks, and community access points. Mobile-broadband remains the dominant means of access, with over 99% of internet use occurring via mobile networks. The government’s Universal Access Service Fund and partnerships with operators aim to plug coverage gaps, particularly in rural regions where access has historically lagged behind urban areas.

The expansion of green-energy tower infrastructure is a key test of Zambia’s digital inclusion framework, demonstrating efforts to bring reliable connectivity to remote communities through sustainable technology solutions, reduce reliance on grid power, and lower operational costs for network operators. As the rollout continues, enhanced connectivity is expected to underpin broader socio-economic participation by enabling digital financial services, access to information, and integration into Zambia’s emerging digital economy.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang