Airtel Zambia has called for a national ambition to provide 10 million Zambians with access to smartphones over the next five years, highlighting the role of affordable devices in advancing digital transformation and economic development.
The proposal was presented during a high-level meeting between Airtel Zambia Managing Director Hussam Baday and Felix Mutati, Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science. During the engagement, Baday reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the government’s Grow Zambia agenda and the country’s wider development objectives.
Airtel said smartphone access should be treated as a shared national priority rather than solely an information and communications technology (ICT) sector objective. The company argued that affordable smartphones would allow more citizens to participate in economic activities and access digital services.
The proposal comes as Zambia works towards achieving 80 per cent broadband penetration. Airtel noted that expanding network coverage must be accompanied by greater access to affordable devices so that more people can make use of digital services.
These services include platforms supporting education, healthcare, financial services, agriculture, entrepreneurship and government operations.
According to Airtel, wider smartphone adoption could contribute to national productivity, financial inclusion and economic growth by extending the benefits of digital transformation to more communities.
The telecommunications and mobile money provider said it would continue investing in connectivity, expanding financial inclusion and collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to improve access to digital opportunities.
Minister Felix Mutati also highlighted how limited access to digital devices affects Zambia’s growth prospects and supported the ambition of enabling 10 million citizens to access smartphones within the next five years.
The proposal places affordable smartphone access alongside broadband expansion as part of Zambia’s wider efforts to increase digital participation and support economic development.
