Digital Zambia Acceleration Project

02/07/2026

𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐙𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐈𝐀

We are pleased to welcome the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) to the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) Digital Skills Technical Committee. Digital skills are vital for empowerment, and we believe no one should be excluded.

Today's onboarding meeting was a positive step towards ensuring our programmes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity.

We are honoured to have ZAPD Directors Bornface Tumba (Accessibility Inspector) and Agatha Banda (Rehabilitation and Research) join us. Other Digital Skills Technical Committee members include the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), the Ministry of Technology and Science (MOTS), the ZAMREN (Zambia Research and Education Network), the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts (MYSA), the Ministry of Education- Zambia (MOE), and the SMART Zambia - e-Government Division (SZI).

Supported by the World Bank and implemented by the Electronic Government Division-SMART Zambia Institute, DZAP aims to boost internet access, enhance digital government services, and build digital skills across the nation.

Let's keep the conversation going: What digital skills do you think are most important for your community to thrive in 2026? Let us know in the comments!

30/06/2026

To all our esteemed stakeholders, please take note!

25/06/2026

Great development towards enhancing access to digital services.

24/06/2026

Zambia is Stepping into a New Era of Digital Transformation

The Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP), a US$100 Million project financed by the World Bank and implemented by SMART Zambia - e-Government Division, is supporting Zambia's transition from a legacy paper-based ID system to a secure, inclusive digital identification framework.

Why does this matter for you and me? A Digital ID is more than just a card. It is your key to:
✅ Easier, faster and more efficient access to essential public services like banking, financial, healthcare and social support,
✅ Greater security for your personal data,
✅ A more inclusive economy for every Zambian.

We are building a future that is safer, faster, and smarter.

19/06/2026

Worth exploring!

BIG NEWS FOR ZAMBIA!
The ZNSDI Policy 2026-2030 is HERE!

What is it?
The Zambia National Spatial Data Infrastructure (ZNSDI) Policy is a game-changing framework that integrates geospatial data, satellite imagery, and collaboration to enable evidence-based decisions for national development. Think of it as the backbone that connects all spatial data across government, private sector, and academia, making sure we're all working from the same accurate map.

Why should YOU care?
Whether you're a student, researcher, investor, or ordinary citizen, this policy is for YOU.
✅ For Researchers & Students – Access reliable, standardized geospatial data for your projects, theses, and innovations. No more guessing or working with outdated information. Your work just got a whole lot easier and more credible.
✅ For Investors – Make informed decisions with accurate location-based intelligence. From infrastructure to agriculture to mining, you now have the data you need to assess risk, identify opportunities, and invest with confidence.
✅ For Citizens – Better planning means better services. From land management to disaster response to urban planning, this policy ensures that decisions affecting your community are backed by real, accurate data. Transparency and accountability? Yes, please!
✅ For Government & Planners – Evidence-based policymaking becomes the norm. No more guesswork, just smart, data-driven decisions that build a better Zambia.

🌍 The vision is clear: Integrating Spatial Data. Enabling Decisions. Building a Better Nation.

Let's embrace this new era of data-driven development. Zambia is moving forward, and we're all invited along for the ride.

‎Explore the Geoportal today: ‎🔗 http://ZNSDI.szi.gov.zm

29/05/2026

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐏 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐒, 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐙𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐈𝐀 & 𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐈 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄

LILONGWE, MALAWI — The three-day World Bank Group Strategic Communications Capacity Building Workshop officially closed on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, marking a major milestone for development communication in the region.

From 25–27 May 2026, communication specialists, Project Implementation Units (PIUs), and line ministries under World Bank supported programmes from Zambia and Malawi, gathered in Lilongwe, Malawi, to sharpen their skills in modern storytelling and digital transformation.

Key Take-Aways & Highlights:

Key Objectives:

The workshop successfully drove capacity for sustained stakeholder engagement, results-focused storytelling for public accountability, a coordinated development narrative, and public understanding of private-sector partnerships.

Honest Conversations:

The workshop kicked off with a hard-hitting panel tackling what stakeholders really need from project communications to build institutional trust. The panelists featured were: Ms. Jacqueline Chishimba, Deputy Director General, Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF), Zambia; Mr. Golden Makayi, Project Coordinator, Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project II (ZATP II), Zambia; Mr. Massimo Sichinga, Social Protection Specialist, Malawi; Mr. W***y Kambwandira, Executive Director, Centre for Social Accountability & Transparency, Malawi; and Ms. Edyth Kambalame, Editor, Nation Publications, Malawi.

Real-World Case Studies & Clinics:

Participants learned directly from regional successes and challenges, including a detailed look at navigating political journeys and sector reforms using the Tourism sector in Zambia as a key case study.

Crisis and Risk Communication:

Teams went hands-on with a rapid-response toolkit, practicing issue management, escalation protocols, and building "One Minute Briefs" to contain emerging reputational risks.

The AI and Digital Edge:

In addition to mastering social media listening, communicators walked away equipped with cutting-edge tools in prompt engineering to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) effectively in activity communications.

The Power of Communicating Impact:

Ms. Loy Nabeta (World Bank Group Senior Communications Officer) reminded teams that in times of tight budgets, showing real human impact is everything. "Programmes that show what they are delivering, convincingly, consistently, and to the right audiences, are the ones that attract continued investment, sustained political support and make the case for more."

A New Network:

PPDF Zambia Deputy Director General, Ms. Jacqueline Chishimba, proposed a landmark ‘Zambia-Malawi Communicators Network’ to keep this regional collaboration alive. "The challenges we face in development communication are often shared, and there is immense value in maintaining regional networks for knowledge exchange, professional support, and collective learning. In this regard, I wish to propose the establishment of a Zambia–Malawi Communicators Network comprising communication professionals from government institutions, project implementation units, and development agencies."

Driving coordinated, inclusive, and forward-looking development communication efforts for Zambia and Malawi will ensure that vital national projects are transparent, sustainable, and impactful.



SMART Zambia - e-Government Division

World Bank Group

25/05/2026

𝑺𝑴𝑨𝑹𝑻 𝒁𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒊𝒂 & 𝑫𝒁𝑨𝑷 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒄 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑 𝒊𝒏 𝑳𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒘𝒆, 𝑴𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒘𝒊

The SMART Zambia Institute and Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) are participating in the World Bank Group Strategic Communication Workshop in Lilongwe, Malawi, from May 25 to 27, 2026. The regional workshop convenes Project Implementation Units (PIUs) and ministries from Zambia and Malawi to strengthen communication capacity and maximize development impact.

The training is designed to enhance strategic communication and sustained stakeholder engagement, strengthen results focused storytelling and accountability, promote a coordinated and inclusive development narrative, and build public understanding of private sector partnerships.

Day One focused on these priorities through a series of sessions. Following the opening remarks, participants engaged in “Honest Conversations on Project Communications and Stakeholder Trust”, a moderated discussion on credibility and transparency. This was followed by the Communication Strategy Lab, where case studies were analysed, experiences shared, and implementation challenges critiqued.

Another session discussed Communication for Effective Reforms, led through an interactive case clinic. The day concluded with Results Storytelling: Making Outcomes Visible and Useful in Project Communications Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement.

The SMART Zambia Institute Communications Lead, Ms. Delight Haangala, DZAP Communication Specialist, Mr. Nephas Hindamu, and DZAP M&E Specialist, Dr. Kelvin Chibomba are in attendance.



SMART Zambia - e-Government Division

16/05/2026

13/05/2026