Investment in AI and technology can spur economic development by creating new industries and job opportunities. It can attract further investment and partnerships, enhancing the region’s economic prospects.

Google has partnered with Zambia to set up an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence at the University of Zambia (UNZA), the Zambian Ministry of Technology and Science announced today September 5 on its Facebook page. This move follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Technology and Science in June 2024.

Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati revealed that the AI center will be located at the Zambia Research and Education Network (ZAMREN), housed within UNZA. Speaking after a tour of the newly built ZAMREN House in Lusaka, Mutati emphasized the center's role, saying: "Young people will be coming here to create products and solutions from their ideas that can help us alleviate certain problems."

ZAMREN, which has already connected 150 institutions across Zambia to high-speed internet, will play a crucial role in supporting the AI center. The Minister noted that many training institutes are benefitting from ZAMREN’s internet services, including offering free access to students for research purposes.

This project is set to enhance Zambia's digital innovation landscape. It is expected to serve as a key platform for fostering digital skills, research, and technological advancement, positioning Zambia as a regional AI development leader.

According to the McKinsey Global Institute, AI has the potential to contribute $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030. For Zambia, positioning itself as a regional leader in AI could boost economic growth, attract foreign investment, and create new job opportunities across various sectors.

Hikmatu Bilali