LocationsAs Zambia’s UNIPOD Challenges Private Sector Buy-In
Zambia’s President Calls for Homegrown Solutions for a Sustainable Tomorrow
October 17, 2024
Honourable Minister Douglas Siyakalima, MP, representing the President of the Republic, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, delivers remarks at the Robotics Club x Mukuba UniPod Tech Expo
Image captured by: UNDP Zambia
Kitwe, 17 October 2024 – The President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, speaking through the Honourable Minister of Education Douglas Siyakalima has commended the private sector for embracing home-grown engineering solutions and contributing towards strengthening Zambia’s business ecosystem through supporting young tech start-ups.
Honourable Siyakalima was speaking at the TECH EXPO organized by Copperbelt University’s Robotics Club with support from UNDP’s University Innovation Pod (UniPod). The President commended the private sector for joining hands with Government to support youth innovations. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the ability of young people to create homegrown solutions when given the right tools and opportunities.
“Allow me to congratulate CBU and the UNDP supported Mukuba Innovation Pod for fostering vibrant minds and providing a platform for young innovators to excel. It gives me great pride to see the support of key partners like Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Dangote and Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) in this initiative. This demonstrates what is possible when the private sector joins hands with government to support youth-driven innovations,” read his speech.
And speaking at the same occasion, UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. James Wakiaga has noted the growing momentum for youth innovation and the critical role of the private sector in nurturing local talent and developing local value chains. He stressed the need to adopt these young tech ventures. He said that Zambia’s innovators are responding to both Agenda 2030 and the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP), which makes this an opportunity for businesses to adopt these start-ups in the corporate world.
“The thematic challenges presented at the EXPO align closely with Zambia’s national development goals and encourage private-sector partnerships to commercialize these innovations, helping to drive economic growth”.
The EXPO, themed “Home-Grown Engineering Solutions for a Sustainable Zambia,” showcased over 60 youth exhibitors from universities across the country and young members of the Jets Club. It featured innovations in sustainable technology, future mobility, digital solutions, aeronautics, robotics, and automation. Out of these, 12 exceptional innovations were awarded prizes, reflecting the remarkable creativity of Zambian youth in addressing real-world challenges.
Sponsorship for the event came from UNDP with support from the private sector namely Liquid Intelligent Technologies donating a total sum of ZMW30,000 and the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), and Dangote ZMW20,000 each.
Honourable Felix Mutati, Minister of Science and Technology, also underscored the importance of collaboration between universities, industry, and government in fostering technological advancements. He celebrated the success of the Mukuba UNIPOD Robotics Club in showcasing local ingenuity.
Through the UNIPOD programme and initiatives such as the UNDP's timbuktoo Initiative, Zambia is positioned to become a pan-African leading hub in innovation. This collaborative approach between academia, industry, and the private sector aims to propel local innovators to the global stage while promoting sustainable national economic development.
Contact Information: Mercy Khozi, mercy.khozi@undp.org.zm on 0966750787 and Nampaka Nkumbula, Nampaka.nkumbula@undp.org.zm on 0968317671
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About UNDP: UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.
About Copperbelt University: The Copperbelt University is the second largest public university in Zambia, which was established by an Act of Parliament No. 19 of 1987 and its continued existence is provided for under the Higher Education Act No.4 of 2013. The University offers diverse programmes in Business, Built Environment, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Medicine, Mining, Natural resource management and Peace/conflict studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The mission of the University is to contribute to the development and sustenance of the well being of the people of Zambia through the provision of flexible, innovative, entrepreneurial and all inclusive programmes of teaching, learning, research and service.
About Liquid Intelligent Technologies: Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a business of Cassava Technologies (Cassava), a technology company of African heritage with operations in 40-plus markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where the Cassava group companies operate. Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading provider of pan-African digital infrastructure with a 110,000 km-long fibre broadband network and satellite connectivity that provides high-speed access to the Internet anywhere in Africa. Liquid is also leveraging its digital network to provide Cloud and Cyber Security solutions through strategic partnerships with leading global players. Liquid is a comprehensive technology solutions group that provides customised digital solutions to public and private sector enterprises and SMEs across the continent. For more information, visit https://www.liquid.tech/
Dangote Cement: Dangote Cement Plc is Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading cement company, with a production capacity of 52.0 million tonnes per year across ten countries. Together, these operations make us the largest cement producer in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dangote's 1.5mta plant in Ndola, 271km from Lusaka opened in the second quarter of 2015. The plant produces 42.5-grade cement to compete against the lower-grade but dominant 32.5 products in the market. Aside from selling into local markets in the Copperbelt region, it will export cement to the mining regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Copperbelt Energy Cooperation: Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) is a Zambian electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply company with operations in Zambia and Nigeria. The company is listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange.
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