5G Network Launches in Lusaka

Today 5G Networks were launched for the first time in Zambia. The network, run by MTN, a Nigerian telecommunications firm will first become operation in Lusaka with the aim of spreading to the rest of the country.

Zambia is just the third country in Africa for MTN to operate a 5G network in after Nigeria and South Africa. President Hichilema has encouraged the technology to be “embraced by all” via his twitter account.

Technology and Science Minsiter, Felix Mutati, emphasised this is part of the government’s digital transformation agenda. Mutati was confidence the technology would create “a positive experience for customers, creating the necessary speed and making Zambia truly in the champions league.”

The minister emphasised the country is attracting international recognition as shown by the hosting of summits such as the Innovation Africa meeting held last week or the endorsement by the founder of Ethereum for Zambia to be a tech hub of the future.

“We are now working on a start-up bill, which we will present to parliament to be able to introduce a venture capital fund to deal with issues around funding,” he continued.

Welcoming the network’s launch as a “momentous day”, Hichilema choose to emphasise that “fast download &upload speeds are effiencies that contribute to modern day-economies.”