Government Announces $280 Million Plan To End Network Outages

The government has announced a $280 million plan to permanently address nationwide network outages, linking recent communication failures to the severe 2023/24 drought and Zambia’s reliance on hydropower.

 Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Mutati announced this in response to a three-week network collapse in Lumezi Constituency. He outlined a three-fold strategy focusing on energy security, national network sharing, and rapid tower rollout. He also confirmed that outages in areas such as Shibande, Kazembe, and Chitungulu were caused by low energy output from hydropower-dependent grids, which left communication towers disconnected.

The government is implementing nationwide backup and alternative energy solutions, including hybrid power systems that combine diesel-powered generators with renewable energy sources and standby batteries. A pilot program involving 20 towers is currently underway with private sector participation.

Additionally, a National Roaming pilot network is being conducted to enable mobile subscribers to access services across different providers, thereby reducing coverage gaps in remote areas. Once validated, this system will be deployed nationally.

To accelerate network expansion, the Ministry is fast-tracking the construction of 781 new towers, based on a 2022 analysis that identified the need for 998 additional towers. Funding will come from various sources. The reliance on the Universal Access and Service Fund (UASF), which previously supported 510 towers annually, will be reduced. Instead, the World Bank-backed Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) will contribute 300 towers to strengthen digital inclusion, particularly in rural areas.

Minister Mutati assured citizens that the government remains committed to digital inclusion and will continue collaborating with partners to deploy resilient communication infrastructure throughout Zambia.