Zambia Launches National Public Key Infrastructure To Secure Digital Transactions

Government has said building a trusted digital environment is critical to Zambia's development as the country moves towards a digital economy.

Technology and Science Permanent Secretary Dr Brilliant Habeenzu said this in Lusaka during the launch of the National Public Key Infrastructure, which forms part of a broader national digital infrastructure covering connectivity, data centres, cybersecurity and digital identity systems.

Dr Habeenzu said the platform would provide a trusted layer for enabling secure digital identities, verifying electronic transactions, protecting information and preventing the manipulation of electronic documents.

He said the initiative would help deliver public services faster, reduce reliance on paper-based processes, support digital signatures and strengthen the authenticity of government documents.

Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority Director General Collins Mbulo said the platform was also expected to build confidence among businesses and investors to operate digitally.

Mr Mbulo said it would create opportunities for local technology companies to develop products around trusted digital identities and secure transactions.

He added that public institutions, regulators, financial institutions and the private sector would be able to use common infrastructure rather than developing separate systems of their own.