• Google is connecting Zambia to UMOJA, a fibre optic project which will run from Kenya through South Africa to Australia.
• UMOJA will help Zambia adapt fast to artificial intelligence.
• In the last one year alone, the private sector has laid 5,000 kilometers of fibre optic.

American technology giant Google, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Zambia’s Ministry of Technology and Science which will see the construction of a Center of Excellence in digital transformation, innovation, offering skills development and knowledge sharing.

Google through it’s subsidiary, Google Cloud, has entered the Zambian market to revolutionize the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector following incentives given by government a year ago.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lusaka, Google Cloud Director Global Strategic Initiatives, Manuel Greisinger said the company is connecting Zambia to UMOJA, a fiber optic project which will run from Kenya through South Africa to Australia.

Mr. Greisinger stated that UMOJA will help Zambia adapt fast to artificial intelligence so that government services and private sector work can be enhanced.

“There is need for Zambia to harness the power of technology,” Mr. Greisinger stated.

And Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati disclosed that the incentives given to the private sector a year ago, have played a key role in compelling Google to invest in Zambia, noting that internet penetration has since risen from 53% to 64%.

Mr. Mutati said in the last one year alone, the private sector has laid 5,000 kilometers of fiber optic, which brings the total to 25,000 kilometers of fiber optic laid since Zambia got its independence in 1964, this has significantly increased internet penetration.

“We gave incentives to the private sector last year and what we have witnessed is growth in internet penetration in the past one year. We even saw the entry of 5G which is impressive.”

“This increase in internet speed, penetration and other incentives given to the private sector has given Google a compelling reason to enter our ICT space,” Mr. Mutati noted.

He added that government is keen on utilizing the opportunities that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is bringing to the nation, expressing hope that the coming of Google Cloud will help improve people’s lives.

Meanwhile, Women in Technology Network Executive Chairperson, Milimo Munyati said the signing of the MoU will enhance the work of those providing mentorship on digital transformation.

Ms. Munyati stated that the organization will fully embrace the partnership to ensure that all women benefit from technology.