Definition of Data

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Main Focus of Document

Intended to ensure that Zambia be transformed into an information and knowledge based society and economy, supported by consistent development of access to ICT for all citizens by 2030

Target Beneficiaries or Sector

citizens, government

Key Elements

The Policy is predicated on the 'right to information' for all and supports the creation of adequate and effective sector legislation and regulatory frameworks. It is also aimed at bridging the digital divide between Zambia and the developed world by ensuring access to technology, and to use such access in many ways in an effort to curtail poverty.

In broad terms, the development of the National ICT Policy is designed to achieve the following:
(a) Facilitating the implementation of constitutional provisions related to information and communication. The constitution recognises the ´Right to Information as implied in the freedom of expression. The implementation of the above commitment requires a policy framework that underpins access to information.
(b) Creating leadership and vision in the ICT sector. The  institutional  framework  in  this  policy  creates  the  visibility  that  ICT deserves  at  the  level of government. This is in line with other countries that are reaping the benefits of adopting ICT as part of the national development strategy; many countries on the African continent are recording success in general, and ICT in particular, based on this approach.
(c) Clear definition of roles and responsibilities among stakeholders. The National ICT Policy shall adequately address the roles and responsibilities of various parties such as the Ministry responsible for the ICT portfolio, the Regulator, Legislature, Judiciary, operators/service providers, public and private sectors as well as civil society, consumers and individuals.
(d) Support  the  creation  of  adequate  and  effective  sector  legislation  and regulatory framework. The current legal and regulatory framework governing the ICT sector is considered inadequate by industry players in addressing concerns mainly because it was drawn without a clear sector policy in place; thus creating room for speculation on key policy issues as well as lack of clear direction on roles and responsibilities. Therefore, the revised legislation will draw its powers from this Policy.
(e) Creating investor confidence in the ICT sector. The National ICT Policy sets clear guidelines on the ´Do's and Don'ts' to the local and foreign investors in the sector, especially private investors, thus creating certainty and long-term investor confidence.
(f) Ensuring  coordinated and effective use of ICT as an instrument for accelerated social and economic development. The digital divide, and hence the development divide existing between the developed and developing countries, is largely due to economic  difference sarising from technology utilisation including ICT; while developing countries are still focused on resource-based economies,  ICT  has  become  an economic driver in developed countries. Zambia can benefit from this lesson to break the chain of poverty.
(g)Ensuring rational and harmonised application of ICT and use of scarce resources. The National ICT Policy establishes the technical, legal and institutional framework that guarantees not only a rational and harmonised use of ICTs for sustainable development but  also more profitable participation of stakeholders in sector and country activities.
(h)  Enhancing Zambia’s competitiveness in the global information society & economy The relevance of any given country in the global economy that is heavily characterised by use of information as a commodity is determined by the effectiveness and efficiency of using ICTs as part of the national development framework. Indeed, information and communication Technology have become, in this information age, the great   common   denominator   of   development projects,   ranging   from   agriculture,   mineral   prospecting, environmental management, education, health, culture, tourism etc.
(i) Creating a positive sector benchmark for cooperating partners Policy reforms in any sector are some of the benchmarks used to guarantee technical and financial assistance by many Cooperating Partners. Therefore, the existence of a sector policy creates not only confidence sector governance issues but also developmental aid flow a key element in resource mobilisation for implementing ICTs in the country.
(j) Creating a framework for addressing and endorsing international commitments Zambia has participated in various activities of the United Nations, AU (NEPAD) and regional bodies such as COMESA and SADC in the area of ICT. Endorsing and implementing the provisions of such declarations and protocols require adequate sector policy framework.

PROMOTING HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
To attain sufficient and world-class human resource capacity in critical and relevant ICT skills required for developing  and  driving  Zambia's  information- and  knowledge-based society and economy.
Commitments
In order to achieve the above goal, Government shall:
(a) Facilitate the creation of Centres of Excellence for training/education in Electronic Engineering  (Telecommunications), Computer Science/Information  Technology, Media/Information Science and other areas.
(b) Facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive human resource development programme targeting critical skill areas across key sectors of the economy in order to accelerate the development of Zambia's information society and economy.
(c) Mainstream youth and gender issues in human resource development activities.

Strategies
a) Develop and implement short, medium and long-term ICT human resource development plans;
b) Create favourable conditions for public and private sector organisations, institutions and establishments to invest in education and human resource development programmes as well as in the training and up-dating of personnel skills;
c) Encourage computer literacy as a basic requirement for employment and promotion in all sectors;
d) Develop ICT awareness programmes among all citizens and promote ICT as an alternative career path for youths and women;
e) Develop and promote community based ICT training programmes in conjunction with local authorities, private sector and civil society;
f) Develop ICT re-training and skills update initiatives to cater for all sectors in response to rapid technological changes;
g) Facilitate and promote institutional linkages between educational/training establishments and industry;
h) Provide adequate access to education and training resources for the physically challenged and vulnerable groups;
i) Encourage and promote local and foreign direct investment in knowledge and expertise development to support the development of the nation's human resource requirements;
j) Encourage and promote the participation of professional bodies in developing appropriate curriculum and ICT skills needed in industry.

PROMOTING ICT IN EDUCATION, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Commitments
In order to achieve the above goal, Government shall:
(a) Facilitate the creation of Centres of Excellence for research in Electronics Engineering/Telecommunications, Computer Science/Information Technology, Media/Information Science etc; 
(b) Take appropriate policy measures to facilitate and promote the integration of ICT within the entire Zambian educational system to support  administration, teaching, learning and research;
(c) Adopt and adapt NEPAD  E-Schools  and other initiatives to promote Elearning and E-Education as well as life-long learning within the population at large; 
(d) Strengthen science and technical education as the basis for laying the foundation for human resource and skills development in ICT; and 
(e) Adequately invest in R&D as a way of developing the nation's scientific and industrial research capacity in ICT.
 
Objectives
a) To deploy ICT at all levels of the Zambian educational system in order to improve and expand access to education, training and research facilities; 
b) To modernise the educational delivery system with the aim of improving the quality of education and training at all levels; 
c) To strengthen the administration and decision-making capacity in the educational  system through the deployment of Education Management Information Systems; and
d) To promote collaboration of R&D systems within the local industrial set-up to facilitate product development, innovation and delivery of world-class services that can compete on the global market.

Strategies
a) Promote and facilitate the integration of computer skills into the teaching and learning process at basic (primary), high school and tertiary levels;
b) Introduce programmes on teacher education in ICTs at all training institutions in the country;
c) Develop  partnerships  with  private  sector  and  other  stakeholders  in  the quest for increased ICT literacy; 
d) Accelerate the extension of tertiary education programmes at the nation's colleges and universities to teacher training colleges through E-learning systems;
e) Develop a national ICT curriculum and qualification system at basic, high school and tertiary levels;
f) Promote the development, deployment and utilization of electronic-based distance education, training and learning systems in the Zambian educational system to complement and supplement residential education and training; 
g) Promote and facilitate the development and the adoption of Educational Management Information Systems within the public and private educational institutions to improve the quality of managing educational delivery activities, operations and monitoring; 
h) Protect and facilitate the participation of the private sector and other establishments including industries and businesses in industrial research as well as cutting-edge R&D activities; 
i) Encourage and facilitate collaborative research, R&D projects and knowledge transfer partnerships between Zambian universities/research institutions with counterpart institutions in other countries; 
j) Implement special schemes and policy measures and packages aimed at promoting affordable acquisition of computers and other ICT products by students, trainers and educational institutions;
k) Promote and facilitate the adoption of educational Technology and internet access within public and private educational institutions targeting all levels of the educational system;
l) Allocate a significant percentage of the national budget to integration and deployment of ICTs in the education system.

PROMOTING PUBLIC ACCESS, CONTENT DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
To promote widespread public access to information through appropriate traditional and new technology solutions based on relevant local content while promoting cultural heritage.
Commitments
in order to reach out and benefit the majority of the Zambian population and improve the penetration of ICTs within society, the government shall:
(a) Develop universal access/service goals and strategies for rural telecommunications, radio and TV transmission infrastructure and service rollout;
(b) Implement special incentives to facilitate the development and intensive use of traditional media such as the local newsprint, community radio and TV as part of the strategies to promote new Technology as well as information access/dissemination across the country;
(c)  Transform all Postal Offices, Public and Community libraries as public access points for e-commerce, e-government and internet -based services with the support  of the private sector and civil society;
(d)  Require  all  telephone (fixed and wireless) service providers to charge any call destined to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) data device that acts as a gateway to the internet at a reduced flat rate or local call charge irrespective of the location and ISP used,  whichever is the lowest, as a deliberate measure to spread and increase public access to the Internet; 
(e) Implement a deliberate and countrywide programme to attract community, civil society and private sector participation to install basic communication services around community centres such as schools, clinics and traditional leaders' palaces;
(f) Make  it  mandatory  for  telephone (fixed and/or wireless) service providers to provide toll-free service to not-for-profit agencies supporting community initiatives in areas such as education, HIV/AIDS and counselling services across the country;
(g) Create a  regulatory and licensing framework that provides special incentives especially for youths and women in the establishment of ICT services in rural and underserved areas across the country.
 Objectives
a) To promote cost-effective last-mile Technology for providing access to commercial and public information services by communities (including the disadvantaged and physically challenged) especially in rural and underserved areas;
b) To create easily accessible, affordable and innovative ICT public access points;
c) To support local and indigenous content development as well as applications targeting the capturing and dissemination of local  and indigenous knowledge,  content and information resources as well as the promotion of Zambian languages and cultural heritage;
d) To facilitate the participation of youths and women in ICTs particularly in media  and content development initiatives;
e) To address gender-based  inequalities and institute gender-sensitive measures to encourage the active participation of women in national and community-based ICT initiatives; and
 f) To use proprietary, free and open source software in content development taking into account the appropriateness of the software category. 
 Strategies
a) Reduce tax and tariffs on end-user consumer ICT products (consumer electronics such as computers, radios, TV, phone handsets etc) and services;
b) Provide special licensing obligations and incentives to providers of toll-free and other subsidised services;
c) Use the post offices and public libraries as primary points for interaction in e-government and e-commerce applications across the country;
d) Promote community-based ICT initiatives including telemedicine, multi purpose community mobile/stationery telecenters, tele-education and schoolnet initiatives to accelerate the spread of ICTs within the communities using the PPP model;
e) Develop special initiatives and incentives targeted at the growth of SME entrepreneurs especially youths and women to support the provision of value added ICT services in all districts;
f) Facilitate the planning, designing and development of a scalable and high quality digital transmission network in all districts to support fixed and mobile communications, internet and data services as well as radio and TV reception;
g) Support the decentralization process by establishing multi-purpose community information centres in conjunction with the respective local authorities in each district;
h) Intensify public awareness initiatives on the benefits of ICTs.

DEVELOPING THE ICT  SECTOR
To develop a competitive local ICT industry supported by a clear policy roadmap, fair and transparent regulatory framework and pro-investor market conditions, resulting in the effective participation of the private sector in value-adding, export-oriented services, serving as the main engine for accelerating the development of the local economy.
Commitments
In order to achieve the above goal, the government shall:
(a) Create an open and transparent forum/environment for consultation/dialogue on matters of interest for policy makers, regulators, operators, consumers and other stakeholders in the ICT sector;
(b) Create an ICT Enterprise Development Fund to support Zambians in joint venture partnerships and capital market participation; and  provide seed capital for incubator projects targeting SMEs in the ICT sector;
(c) Implement special initiatives and measures aimed at promoting local and foreign direct investment (FDI) to drive in  ICT, including technology transfer programmes between local and foreign companies;
(d) Provide special incentives to the local ICT industry to manufacture, assemble, maintain and repair ICT equipment; and for the development of a globally competitive software industry based on proprietary, free and open source solutions to serve the domestic and export market.
 Objectives
a) To create an innovative, market responsive, highly competitive, coordinated and well regulated ICT industry;
b) To facilitate joint venture initiatives for local entrepreneurs with international private investors in the provision of public ICT goods and services;
c) To develop ICT business incubators (start-up projects) and technology parks to accelerate the development of local consumer ICT products and services;
d) To create a favourable business environment and promote Zambia as an attractive destination for ICT-related investments within the region and on the international market targeting manufacturing and local product assembly, R&D and human resource development components;
e) To restructure the ICT market and technological/production base with a view to making the ICT sector a significant contributor to the social and economic development of the country.
Strategies
a) Encourage the development of ICT expos/conferences/roadshows; development of professional bodies and ICT industry focal point representation to ensure technology updates, awareness  creation, advocacy, adherence to standards and coordination among players;
b) Develop and implement special tax instruments and incentives to promote the development of the local ICT production and services industry;
c) Promote, stimulate and support the development of innovative local content and applications to meet the requirements of the nation;
d) Create Centres of Excellence for the research, manufacturing, and assembly of ICT products as well as training of ICT professionals;
e) Develop ICT incubator projects and technology parks in the country especially in the Export Processing Zones;
f) Promote the development, adoption and enforcement of international standards and best  practices  within  the  ICT  industry to  facilitate  the  development  of world-class and globally competitive local ICT products and services;
g) Develop an aggressive marketing strategy to promote Zambia as a competitive destination for ICT-related foreign direct investment;
h) Promote and actively support the use of ICTs in the service delivery value chain in all sectors of the economy.

 DEVELOPING TELECOMMUNICATIONS & SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE 
To increase access and promote widespread deployment of ICT services through the expansion of the nation's telecommunications backbone infrastructure covering the whole country.
(a) Endeavour to attain full liberalisation of all services in the ICT sector subject  to regional and international protocols/agreements, best practices as well as market readiness;
(b) Put equitable and cost-effective mechanisms to manage the country's strategic communication resources such as the frequency spectrum and Country Top Level Domain (CTLD.ZM) in order to allow for the development of modern, effective and efficient communication systems in the country;
(c) Facilitate the development and deployment of a telecommunication infrastructure backbone with regional and international connectivity through public-private partnerships to offer reliable, high capacity and nationwide service to data, voice and video service providers in the retail market;
(d) Require all licensed service providers (telecommunications (voice, data, video), Internet  Service  Providers  etc.) operating a national/regional license to submit development/expansion/roll-out plans as part of the licensing framework;
(e) Require the regulator to put in place market-based guidelines for infrastructure sharing, network interconnection, tariff setting among other things as part of the licensing framework;
(f) Develop  clear policy guidelines for developing, sharing and utilization of telecommunication infrastructure within the public sector as part of the E- Government strategy;
(g) Facilitate the creation of the necessary legal, regulatory and institutional framework and incentives to support the development of the ICT infrastructure in the country;
(h) Facilitate the establishment  of a Rural ICT Development Fund to support the developmentof ICT infrastructure and service rollout especially in rural and underserved areas;
(i) Require all public sector organizations to liaise, coordinate and harmonise with the agency responsible for the ICT portfolio before embarking on telecommunications/transmission infrastructure projects to avoid duplication;
(j) Require network operators to optimise connectivity to the national  ICT backbone and Internet Exchange Point to reduce interconnection costs and broaden network access;
(k) Adopt and adapt NEPAD infrastructure projects as the basis for implementing regional and international telecommunications connectivity;
(l) Deliberately incorporate telecommunications infrastructure such as laying of fibre optic cables or such other Technology as part of in-built design costs of any public infrastructure investment especially when rehabilitating or building new trunk roads, electricity grids and railways.
 Objectives
(a) To implement a nationwide ICT infrastructure expansion programme and outline clear strategies and obligations for licensed ICT service providers with respect to universal  access/service  goals and Quality of Service (QoS); and ensure cost-effective  connectivity to ICT services such as radio, TV,  telephone, internet, e-commerce and e-government services;
(b) To partner with the private sector in the rollout of the national telecommunications infrastructure backbone as a way to expand ICT services across the country;
(c) To ensure an integrated approach to the development and deployment of ICTs including other supporting physical infrastructure such as electricity and transport infrastructure;
(d) To minimise duplication and costs through infrastructure sharing among public and private  sector  investment  projects  and  to  create  an  efficient  and cost-effective government-wide communications network infrastructure linking national, provincial and district administration;
(e) To ensure that the nation's social and economic development process is not inhibited by the country's ICT infrastructure;
(f) To facilitate regional economic integration by utilising regional and international telecommunications infrastructure projects such as the NEPAD Infrastructure, the COMESA COMTEL project and SADC ICT infrastructure initiatives.
Strategies
a) Develop special investment incentives to facilitate the expansion of the national ICT infrastructure backbone with emphasis on attracting local and foreign private sector participation;
b) Develop alternative and affordable energy sources for ICT equipment including: solar, biomass, wind and other renewable energy sources to supplement the nation's conventional energy sources;
c) Promote the development of the necessary legal, institutional and regulatory framework and structures required for supporting the development of the nation's physical and communications infrastructure;
d) Establish of a government wide network with national, provincial and district coverage;
e) Promote public and private sector demand for advanced and reliable broadband information and communication services to drive the development of the nation's ICT backbone infrastructure;
f) Restructure the ICT market by separating the provision of wholesale, retail and value-added services.
 
PROMOTING ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT
To improve public sector management as well as efficient and effective delivery of public goods and services through the implementation of e-government systems.
In order to achieve the above goal, the government shall: 
(a) Develop  an e-government model to facilitate effective and efficient delivery of goods and services in the public sector;
(b) Support the implementation of the decentralisation process by extensive integration and utilisation of ICTs at all levels;
(c) Develop a government-wide network and communication system utilising the same infrastructure backbone as the foundation for implementation of the e-government strategy; and
(d) Review and establish reforms aimed at legalising electronic procedures/processes and other forms of e-services.
Objectives
 a) To transform government service delivery and improve two-way communication in the management and operation of the public sector;
b) To improve the operations of government ministries/agencies within the wider scope of the public sector reform programme through the deployment of ICT;
c) To develop an institutional and coordination mechanism for information management in the public sector; and
d) To  safeguard  public  sector  information  and  investment  against  negative impacts of deploying and using ICT.
 Strategies
a) Develop and implement a comprehensive e-government strategy targeting: Government to Government (G2G), Government to Business (G2B) and Government to Citizens (G2C) and Government to Employee (G2E) services; 
b) Identify, develop and implement e-services in the provision of government information, health, educational and other services through the use of ICT; 
c) Undertake a comprehensive change management and human resource development programme to support the adoption of ICT as part of the service delivery model; 
d) Develop and promote standards, guidelines and procedures to facilitate the acquisition, installation and maintenance of ICT systems within public sector institutions; 
e) Develop  Provincial  and  District  Information  Resource  Centres  and  implement an integrated  Geographic  Information  System   to  support  development planning  and decision-making at national, provincial and district levels;  
f) Partner with civil society and private sector to participate in civic initiatives and other information/service delivery solutions including development of public access centres for online services such as license acquisition, registrations of births, deaths, marriages as well  as  voter  registration  at  national,  provincial and  district  levels  as  part  of  e-government implementation; 
g) Establish and develop an Integrated Land Information System at district and provincial levels to enhance land management, security of tenure, land utilisation; monitoring and evaluation;
h) Implement mechanisms and processes that will facilitate sharing and exchange of information, good practices and organisational experiences within the public sector; 
i) Implement schemes and initiatives targeted at motivating public service employees to acquire ICT literacy/skills as part of improving productivity, efficiency and effectiveness;
j) Establish legislative and other instruments aimed at enhancing access to information, as well as secure the privacy and security of information in public domain;
k) Adopt an open policy for use of proprietary, free and/or open source software in developing e-government solutions systems.

PROMOTING ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
To promote Zambia's full and effective participation in national, regional and global trade through e-commerce services and facilities.
Commitments
In order to achieve the above goal, Government shall:
(a) Establish monetary and fiscal policy measures to ensure consumer confidence in e-commerce;
(b) Develop effective laws  and regulations that shall govern e-commerce at national level supported by regional and international systems;
(c)  Establish mechanisms to protect intellectual property rights related to e-commerce.
Objectives
 a) To promote a stable, fair and competitive investment climate to facilitate the development of e-commerce activities in the economy;
 b) To develop a highly competitive ICT industry capable of serving as the engine for driving Zambia's active participation in global trade;
 c)  To facilitate the adoption of e-commerce especially by SMEs in agriculture, tourism, small-scale mining and manufacturing as well as non-traditional exports to ensure productivity and growth;
 d) To develop the services industry whose activities meet international standards in the production and delivery of globally competitive e-commerce products and services.
 Strategies
a) Promote Zambia as a competitive foreign direct investment (FDI) destination  for  e-commerce as well as attract local private sector participation and investment in the development of e-commerce solutions;
b) Cultivate a culture of e-commerce in the country, which supports electronic business transactions at national, regional and international levels;
c)  Develop action plans aimed at facilitating the involvement of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and disadvantaged groups to enhance their effective participation in e-vommerce activities;
d) Domesticate, harmonise and enhance electronic commerce laws obtaining at SADC, COMESA, WTO and other international levels;
e) Facilitate the establishment of e-commerce services especially in export processing zones to promote and support ICT-related businesses as well as attract business process outsourcing services to Zambia;
f) Restructure and modernise the banking and payment system to respond to electronic banking and financial services in order to increase the development of e-commerce and trade;
g) Promote and facilitate the use of secure e-business solutions, electronic signatures, electronic public procurement and electronic payment systems to support the development of e-commerce in the country;
h) Increase awareness on the benefits of e-commerce among the general public; and
i) Undertake capacity building in local authorities in order to provide services that promote e-commerce activities.

DEVELOPING THE LEGAL & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
To develop appropriate institutional, legal and regulatory systems in order to support the development of a competitive local ICT sector based on convergence principles; supported by a fair, predictable, and transparent legal and regulatory framework.

Policy/Regulation Mirrors

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