DIGITAL ZAMBIA ACCELERATION PROJECT

(Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern & Southern Africa – IDEA-MPA, Phase 2)

The Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Electronic Government Division – Smart Zambia Institute is implementing the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) which is part of phase 2 of the Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa Multiphase Programmatic Approach (IDEA MPA), which was approved by the World Bank Board on June 27, 2024, with an overall financing envelope of US$2.48 billion. Zambia is the fifth operation under IDEA following country operations in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Malawi, and for COMESA as the coordinating Regional Economic Community (REC). DZAP has four components which are aligned with the IDEA pillars as follows:

Component 1: Affordable Broadband

• Extending the backbone and regional network
• Supplying last-mile connectivity
• Strengthening the enabling environment

Component 2: Interoperable and Secure Data Platforms

• Developing digital ID and trust services
• Enhancing digital government and services
• Fostering regional trade facilitation

Component 3: High impact digital services and productive digital usage

• Supporting digitalization in selected high-impact sectors
• Nurturing employment-ready digital skills

Component 4: Program Management and Capacity-Building

The Project Preparation Advance was signed on 21st October 2024 and the Electronic Government Division commenced stakeholder engagements on the Environmental and Social Management Framework which drew participation from all ten provinces.