Zambia’s National AI Strategy: Balancing Progress with Responsibility

In 2024, the Republic of Zambia took a significant step toward harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the introduction of its National AI Strategy (2024-2026).¹ This ambitious framework aims to drive economic growth, enhance public services, and position Zambia as a hub for AI-driven development in emerging economies. The strategy aligns with international best practices and sets a foundation for ethical and responsible AI deployment within the country.²

Legal and Policy Framework

The strategy outlines the need for a robust legal and regulatory environment to govern AI development and deployment.³ It emphasizes data privacy and security by aligning with Zambia’s existing data protection laws and underscores the need for stringent measures to safeguard personal and sensitive data, highlighting that ⁴ the Data Commissioner’s Office will play a key role in ensuring compliance.

Moreover, ethical AI principles are a priority, with Zambia committing to align with other international frameworks such as the African Union’s AI Strategy, UNESCO’s AI Ethics Recommendations, and OECD AI Principles. These commitments reflect Zambia’s dedication to fairness, transparency, and non-discrimination in AI applications.

Strategic Pillars of Zambia’s AI Development

Zambia’s AI Strategy is structured around six key pillars, each addressing critical aspects of AI adoption and development.⁵

• The first pillar, Policy and Regulation, focuses on developing a strong regulatory framework that balances innovation with accountability. This will involve crafting national AI policies aligning with international best practices while ensuring AI systems operate transparently and ethically. The strategy proposes the establishment of a National AI Council to provide oversight and governance, working in collaboration with regulatory bodies such as the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) to ensure compliance.

• The second pillar, Human Capital Development, emphasizes the need to build AI competencies across all levels of education and industry. The strategy aims to integrate AI-related courses into Zambia’s education system, from primary school to tertiary institutions, while also providing continuous professional development opportunities. AI literacy campaigns will be rolled out to equip citizens with the necessary skills to engage with AI technologies, ensuring that Zambia cultivates a workforce ready to drive AI innovation.

• The third pillar, Infrastructure and Data Ecosystems, acknowledges that digital infrastructure is the backbone of AI adoption. The strategy prioritizes investments in broadband connectivity, cloud computing services, and high-performance computing centres. Furthermore, it calls for the creation of national data repositories that facilitate secure and ethical data sharing, ensuring that Zambia can support AI research and application at scale.

• The fourth pillar, Research and Innovation, is centred on fostering an AI ecosystem that supports homegrown solutions. By strengthening partnerships between academia, private enterprises, and government agencies, Zambia seeks to encourage local AI research and innovation. The strategy provides for the establishment of an Emerging Technologies Centre of Excellence which will serve as a hub for AI research, bringing together stakeholders to develop AI-driven solutions tailored to Zambia’s unique socio-economic challenges.

• The fifth pillar, Industry and Sectoral Development, focuses on integrating AI across key industries such as healthcare, agriculture, mining, education, and finance. Pilot projects will be initiated to demonstrate AI’s potential in improving productivity and service delivery, with successful initiatives being scaled nationwide. AI-driven automation in mining, precision agriculture, and AI–enhanced diagnostics in healthcare are among the priority applications.

• The sixth pillar, International Collaboration and Partnerships, recognizes the importance of aligning Zambia’s AI strategy with global advancements. The strategy promotes cross-border partnerships with international AI research institutions, private sector stakeholders, and development agencies. Zambia aims to position itself as a leader in AI for emerging economies, participating in regional AI policy discussions and global initiatives to ensure responsible and inclusive AI adoption.

Governance, Implementation, and Monitoring

A robust governance and implementation framework is key to ensuring the success of Zambia’s AI strategy. The strategy, as highlighted above, provides for the National AI Council which will provide strategic oversight, working alongside Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to guide AI initiatives in specific sectors.⁶ Moreover, the strategy highlights that the Smart Zambia Institute will coordinate AI adoption in government services, with the Emerging Technologies Centre of Excellence also driving AI research and development.⁷

Keen on implementation, the strategy is expected to be phased strategically. The first 100 days will focus on setting up governance structures, launching pilot projects, and establishing global partnerships.⁸ The first year will emphasize regulatory development, AI literacy programs, and embedding AI in education.⁹ By the second year, AI deployment will scale across key sectors, digital infrastructure will be enhanced, and compliance mechanisms will be reinforced.¹⁰

A Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework will also be established to track progress, assess risks, and ensure that AI initiatives align with national development goals¹¹, while performance indicators, regular evaluations, and adaptive policy adjustments will also be implemented to drive transparency and accountability in AI execution.¹²

Implications of Zambia’s AI Strategy on African AI Governance

Zambia’s AI Strategy is not only a significant step for the nation but also has broader implications for AI governance across Africa. As AI adoption accelerates across the continent, Zambia’s strategic approach could serve as a model for other nations developing their AI governance frameworks. Establishing Zambia’s National AI Council and integrating AI into governance structures provide a replicable blueprint for other African countries aiming to balance innovation with responsible oversight.

Moreover, Zambia’s emphasis on sectoral AI applications, such as agriculture, healthcare, and education, mirrors the priorities of the African Union’s AI Strategy. This alignment suggests a broader continental effort to position AI as a catalyst for development rather than just an emerging technology.

Zambia’s approach to governance and regulation appears more proactive, especially with its plans to establish technical working groups and a dedicated Emerging Technologies Centre of Excellence.¹³ This structured implementation sets it apart from nations where AI strategies are still in formative stages or heavily reliant on private-sector-led initiatives, setting guidance that other African AI strategies can borrow.

Conclusion

While Zambia is committed to AI, challenges such as infrastructure deficits, a shortage of skilled professionals, and limited research funding remain significant hurdles. The National AI Strategy, even so, is a forward-looking initiative that seeks to balance innovation with ethical considerations. Zambia aims to unlock AI’s transformative potential while safeguarding fundamental rights by fostering a legal and policy framework that promotes responsible AI use. This strategy not only aligns Zambia with global AI trends but also sets a precedent for other emerging economies looking to leverage AI for sustainable development.

The image is from Africa AI News – https://www.africaainews.com/p/zambia-launches-ai-strategy-to-boost