Zambia raises US$4 million for rural ICT fund

The Communications Authority of Zambia has raised more than 14 billion kwacha (US$4 million) for rural information and communication technology, according to a government official.

Minister of Communications and Transport Dora Siliya said the money will be used to provide information and communication technology (ICT) services in rural areas. The money has been raised through service charges slapped on mobile-phone service providers and Internet service providers (ISPs) operating in the country by the Communications Authority of Zambia.

Siliya said in the wake of a conference on telecenter issues in Lusaka last week that the Zambian government is developing ICT programs aimed at rural communities, which are less serviced by most service providers.

The country's fifth national development plan, for 2006-10, highlights the need to set up rural ICT initiatives, which include the development of telecommunication infrastructure and access to ICTs by the rural population, Siliya noted.

Siliya said in addition to the funds raised from the service providers, the Zambian government has also set aside US$1 million to be used for the same program. The programs for rural ICT fund will be implemented by the Communications Authority of Zambia, which regulates communication systems in Zambia in cooperation with service providers wanting to extend their services to rural areas.

"It is such an initiative, which will empower Zambians by unlocking the resources for creation of jobs and wealth creation because service providers will extend their services to remote rural areas," Siliya said.

The Communications Authority of Zambia has not started giving out the funds, however, claiming it is still working on a policy that will provide guidelines on how the funds should be given out and who qualifies to access them.

Siliya said the government will push the authority to start the implementation of the program as soon as possible.