• Zambia and the Czech Republic have launched the Kwenyu Pact to boost local production of drones, satellites, and renewable energy systems.
• The partnership includes annual Czech scholarships for 20–25 Zambian students in technology fields.
• The initiative aligns with Zambia’s Vision 2030 and follows new data protection and cybersecurity laws.

Zambia has signed a digital cooperation agreement with the Czech Republic to accelerate its technological transformation and industrial capacity. The announcement came on October 28, 2025, during the Tech for Zambia forum in Lusaka.

The new agreement, called the Kwenyu Pact—a local word meaning “delivery”—reflects the government’s focus on turning policy promises into tangible results. The initiative supports President Hakainde Hichilema’s goal of building a “modern, competitive, and job-creating economy.”

Under the deal, Zambia will begin producing drones, satellites, solar panels, and batteries locally. The partnership also aims to deploy off-grid energy systems to rural schools and health centers.

Both governments plan to leverage drone and satellite data for precision agriculture and infrastructure planning, expanding Zambia’s digital ecosystem.

Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, said the agreement will include annual Czech scholarships for 20 to 25 Zambian students to study in top technology universities in Prague and Brno.

Czech ambassador Jiri Kirian added that “the Czech approach is designed to be a catalyst for local capacity, ensuring technology transfer and local training remain central.”

The partnership supports Zambia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to create a dynamic economy and strengthen digital governance. Recent reforms, including the Data Protection Act and the Cybersecurity and Cyber Crimes Law, provide the legal foundation for the initiative.

According to the United Nations’ 2024 E-Government Development Index, Zambia ranked 130th globally with a score of 0.5424 out of 1. In cybersecurity, the International Telecommunication Union rated Zambia as a “Tier 2” country with a score of 92.59 out of 100, highlighting steady progress in digital readiness.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum