• SMART Zambia Institute trained 80 trainers in digital skills

• The program focuses on cybersecurity, digital systems, and fintech

• The initiative supports broader digital transformation efforts

The SMART Zambia Institute launched a digital skills training-of-trainers program on January 12, in Ndola, aimed at building a pool of educators capable of scaling digital knowledge nationwide. The initiative targets 80 beneficiaries, mainly drawn from public sector institutions.

According to information published on the digital transformation agency’s Facebook page, the training is being held at the Zambia University College of Technology. It covers skills considered strategic for the digital economy, including cybersecurity, digital systems management, and digital financial services. Once the program is completed, participants are expected to pass on these skills within their institutions and beyond, following a cascade training model.

The program is built around strengthening local capacity. By training instructors rather than end users, Zambian authorities aim to maximize the impact of digital learning while reducing disparities in access to technological skills across regions and institutions.

The initiative seeks to “to strengthen nationwide digital inclusion and enhance public service delivery.” By equipping trainers with advanced technical skills, the government aims to improve administrative efficiency, enhance service delivery to citizens, and better prepare the workforce for digital jobs.

The program comes as Zambia steps up investment in digital infrastructure and skills development, with support from international partners. In September 2025, the World Bank approved the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project, a program funded at more than $100 million to expand internet access, strengthen public digital services, and develop market-relevant digital skills.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou