Techbytes: Internet penetration rises to 72.1 in Zambia, authorities claim

Zambia’s mobile subscriptions increased from 20.2 million in 2021 to over 26 million in 2025, the Ministry of Technology and Science has reported, marking one of the major milestones in the country’s digital growth. Internet subscriptions also grew from 10.4 million to 14.68 million over the same period, reflecting expanded access to connectivity across the country, according Ministry statistics. Ministry Principal Public Relations Officer, Illitonge Maboshe, confirmed this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday.

Internet penetration rose from 56.7 percent to 72.1 percent, demonstrating increased digital connectivity among citizens between 2021 and 2026. The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has emerged as the highest contributor to Gross Domestic Product, accounting for 17.4 percent of GDP, the Ministry stated in a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, 8th June 2026. “Guided by the visionary leadership of the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, the Government has continued implementing reforms and programmes aimed at building an inclusive, innovative, and digitally-driven economy that creates opportunities for all citizens,” Maboshe said.

She stated that since 2021, the Ministry had introduced key policies and legislative reforms designed to modernise Zambia’s digital ecosystem and enhance online safety. Maboshe said as a result of the highly developed National Commitment to Cyber Security, Zambia scored 92 percent on the International Telecommunications Unions (ITU) Global Cyber Security index. She said among the notable milestones achieved were the launch of the National ICT Policy 2023, the development of Zambia’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2024-2026, and the implementation of the National Digital Transformation Strategy to improve digital service delivery and expand internet access across the country.

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“The government also enacted the Cyber Security Act No.3 of 2025 and Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025 to strengthen national cyber resilience and protect citizens in the digital space,” Maboshe noted. She said the government also recorded substantial progress in digital infrastructure expansion, with communication towers increasing from 3,413 to 3,769 nationwide and fibre optic coverage expanding from 15,000 kilometres to over 42,224.5 kilometres.

Nearly 600 sites have been upgraded to 5G technology, further improving connectivity and digital service delivery across the country. “Mobile money transactions increased significantly from K169 billion in 2021 to K486 billion in 2024, while registered mobile money agents increased from 133,687 to over 556,000,” Maboshe stated. She said the developments had enabled more citizens to access secure, convenient, and affordable digital financial services, while ICT sector tax contributions also increased from K1.6 billion in 2021 to over K5.4 billion.

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