Zambia, UAE Move to Speed Up Digitalisation of Government Services
President Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia wants to move faster on the digitalisation of government services, with the country looking to the United Arab Emirates for cooperation in building a more efficient digital government.
The issue was discussed during a bilateral meeting held this morning as part of President Hichilema’s working visit to the UAE.
The Zambian delegation met a UAE team led by Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan and Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi.
During the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations between Zambia and the UAE.
President Hichilema also thanked UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for constituting a team to work with Zambia.
But beyond strengthening diplomatic ties, the discussions focused on something that could directly affect how citizens and businesses interact with Government.
Hichilema emphasised the need to accelerate the digitalisation of government services, arguing that digital platforms can help reduce the bureaucracy, delays and inefficiencies that slow down service delivery and investment.
He said digital infrastructure should not be viewed simply as something that supports government operations.
Instead, it should form part of Government’s wider efforts to serve citizens more efficiently and create a better environment for investment.
The push also fits into the Government’s broader Grow Zambia agenda, which seeks to attract investment and improve economic activity.
For Zambia, the challenge now is turning the digitalisation ambition into systems that people and businesses can actually use more easily, with less paperwork, fewer delays and more efficient access to government services.