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Transport, Works Supply & Communications
(LAP) targeting investments in telecommunications
with a primary focus to contribute to the acceleration
of Africa’s development.
LAP Green has the responsibility to turn Zamtel
around into a more profitable operation. The compa-
ny’s drive is to increase its customer base, increase
its market share and become a significant mobile
provider, while also reinforcing the infrastructure
of their pre-established fixed line network. Zamtel
strives to bring a great deal of value to the Zambian
ICT sector.
ZAMBIA INFORMATION COMMUNICATION AND
TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY (ZICTA)
Margret Chalwe
Director General of ZICTA
Zicta House, Stand No. 5032 Great North Rd.
PO Box 36871 Lusaka
Tel: +260-211-240208 / 24259
Fax: +260-211-246701
info@zicta.zm
www.zicta.zm
The Zambia Information, Communications and Tech-
nology (ICT) sector has grown substantially in recent
times, becoming a key factor in the country’s eco-
nomic development. ZICTA is the regulatory body
that provides licensing services for operators within
the ICT sector in Zambia. From its inception in 2007,
Zambian ICT policy has created record levels of de-
velopment within the sector. It seeks to promote an
effective and reliable ICT sector to further attract
business and investors to the sector.
Revision to the ICT Legislative Acts in 2009 created
a new ICT Act and the establishment of ZICTA, an
advisory body to the government with the aim of in-
creasing the ease in which business can enter and
operate in the sector. ZICTA has, since its incep-
tion, stimulated an infusion of new players into the
ICT sector, offering a wider variety of services to the
Zambian people. Prior to this, the regulatory body
was known as Communications Authority of Zambia
and it had a rather limited mandate.
ZICTA realizes the power of ICT as a catalyst for im-
proving the quality of lives, and creating opportuni-
ties, for Zambians. The regulatory body has become
the backbone of the ICT sector, which is vital for the
growth and development of the greater Zambian
economy. ICT has become the fourth most relevant
factor of production after land, labour, and capital.
ZICTA has developed into an efficient regulatory
body that ensures reliable and efficient services
throughout the ICT industry in Zambia and enhances
investor confidence, not only in the ICT sector, but
also for the Zambian economy as a whole. ZICTA
is the voice of the ICT sector acting between, and
promoting both private and public sector interests.
It advises the government on all aspects relating to
ICT, promotes the sector both nationally and interna-
tionally and reaches out to investors.
“ZICTA is a wealth of investor information and helps
to bolster confidence in the Zambian ICT sector,
helping to highlight laws that protect investments ir-
respective of which government or political party is in
power, and those that assure investments into busi-
ness or property will not be nationalized--all of which
help to demonstrate Zambia’s fundamental respect
for private property and investments.”
Margret Chalwe
Director General of ZICTA
ZICTA is engaging various entities, including both
local and foreign financial service providers and de-
velopment agencies, to increase participation in the
ICT sector. Under the Universal Access and Service
project, ZICTA has embarked upon establishing sev-
eral community-owned and operated Tele-centres
throughout the country that not only empower com-
munities, but also provide ICT services to the com-
munities around them.
Another means by which ZICTA is supporting entry
into the sector is through the reduction of licens-
ing and operating fees for deployment of electronic
communications networks or provision of related
services in Zambia. Through the enactment of the
ICT Act, ZICTA has introduced a simplified licensing
process, encouraging entry of new operators into the
sector. ZICTA’s issuance of carrier licenses ensures
efficiency in the provision of its services, as opera-
tors licensed to provide ICT services may use the
infrastructure of existing network operators to trans-
port their traffic, as opposed to incurring additional
costs for the deployment of their own network.
ZICTA realizes the importance of growing the Inter-
net Service Provision (ISP) sector especially in view
of the fact that the current internet penetration rate is
below 18%. It has therefore taken this into account
and has facilitated the process in order to increase
the licensing of Internet Service Providers. There
are still great opportunities for expansion in the ISP
sector, and the segment is open for the issuance of
many more operating licenses.