The SMART Zambia Institute, through its e-Government Division, has launched a 4G pilot project in Chongwe District aimed at improving service delivery in the health and education sectors.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with IHM Southern Africa, delivers high-speed internet connectivity across a 5-kilometre radius, reaching key public institutions including the Chongwe Rural Health Centre and Chongwe Secondary School.
The project supports the deployment of SmartCare Pro, a digital health records system, and facilitates e-learning platforms in schools. It forms part of Zambia’s broader digital transformation strategy, focused on reaching underserved communities with reliable and affordable connectivity. During a project walk-through, SMART Zambia National Coordinator, Mr. Percy Chinyama, underscored the importance of the initiative in lowering the cost of technology deployment in remote areas.
“This initiative is a game-changer for Zambia’s digital transformation agenda,” Mr. Chinyama stated. “We are leveraging innovation to bridge the digital divide in unserved and underserved areas.”
Public-private partnerships
Echoing this sentiment, IHM Southern Africa CEO, Mr. Kelvin Sikwibele, emphasized the power of public-private partnerships in delivering impactful solutions.
“We are proud to partner with SMART Zambia Institute to bring affordable internet connectivity where it is needed most,” said Mr. Sikwibele.
SMART Zambia’s Government Chief Technology Officer (GCTO), Ms. Kasali Musenge, noted that the project is in its pilot phase and will be expanded to other parts of the country in future phases. Local beneficiaries have already begun to see the impact. Ms. Mable Changala, Officer in Charge at Chongwe Rural Health Centre, praised the SmartCare Pro system for streamlining patient records and enhancing care delivery. Similarly, Mr. Lottie Mbewe, Headteacher at Chongwe Secondary School, reported improved access to digital learning tools for both students and teachers.
Wrapping up the site tour, Acting Director of Network Management at SMART Zambia, Mr. Paison Chikoye, highlighted that such innovations are key to extending government services and digital infrastructure across Zambia.
“This technology makes it possible to deliver affordable, high-speed internet to critical sectors like health and education. It’s a pivotal step in our national digital journey,” he said.
The 4G pilot in Chongwe represents a foundational model that could be replicated nationwide as Zambia works to close its digital gap and promote equitable access to public services.