Huawei Technologies and the Government of Zambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build 100 smart villages across the country. The announcement was made during the launch of Zambia’s first Smart Village in Muchila, Namwala District, Southern Province.
In addition, Muchila is now connected to the world with a Rural-Star communications tower that provides wireless coverage to residents. By design, a rural-star telecom tower reduces network deployment costs by 50% and it is used in traditional rural network solutions.
Namwala District now boasts of a mini-solar grid that is powering a school, a clinic and the residences of teachers.
The President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema officiated at the inauguration of the smart village. In his remarks, the President commended Huawei for launching the Smart Village Project across Zambia, an idea that many first thought was nothing but a dream. He also took the opportunity to commend Zambia-China bilateral relations and the concrete results being delivered to the people of Zambia.
President Hichilema further explained that, given its mandate to improve the lives of rural residents, it is a delight to announce that 100 more villages will see similar improvements to those in Muchila. Mr Hichilema recalled during a recent visit to China, he had personally suggested smart villages for Zambia, starting with Muchila.
“We have already heard that the project which has happened here will happen in 100 more villages, and this is wonderful really. Let me acknowledge that this is a bad year because there is drought but this installation will help mitigate power challenges” he said.
At the same ceremony, the Charge D’ Affaires of the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Zambia, Mr. Wang Sheng, commended the government and Huawei for the milestone. Wang said the Smart Village Project is another example of the commitment of Chinese companies, represented by Huawei, to implement the outcomes of the president’s state visit in September 2023. He notes that such developments also play a major role in strengthening the Zambia-China partnership.
Wang noted that the project will bring a lot of benefits to the people of Muchila.
“After completion of the first phase, the Smart Village Project is expected to provide electricity and internet access to 100 villages and create more than 5,000 new jobs. It will offer a Chinese solution to four hundred thousand villagers who have limited access to electricity, medical treatment or employment,” Wang said.
Also on-site, Huawei’s Vice president for the Sub-Saharan Africa Region, Phil Li, highlighted the significance of the project, Connectivity, he said, is what collectively drives people towards a better future. He added that connectivity and digital transformation are essential because they deliver the solutions people need.
ALSO READ: FROM BANK EXECUTIVE TO PAN-AFRICAN PAYMENT PIONEER: THE TALE OF MIKE OGBALU III
Li further commended the Zambian government for supporting the project, which had just completed its first step.
“In fact, this Smart Village is paving the way for our proposed 100 villages projects, where we intend to connect many other villages using this similar model, thereby accelerating digitalization in Zambia,” he said.
During his state visit to China, President Hakainde Hichilema visited Huawei Headquarters in Shenzhen, where an MoU on strengthening Digital Partnerships was signed. Part of the MoU emphasized on mutual collaborations on accelerating digital transformation at all levels.
