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INTERNET PE*******ON IN AFRICA AND ZAMBIA

Digital transformation has become a key driver of both economic and social development across the world. While industrialisation remains important, digital technology has now become an essential part of modern economic growth. The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has further accelerated the importance of digital transformation, making internet access more critical than ever before.

One of the major foundations of digital transformation is internet pe*******on. According to Statista (2026), only one African country, Morocco, has internet pe*******on above 90%. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Botswana leads with about 80%, followed by South Africa at 78% and Namibia at 64%. Kenya and Lesotho stand at 48%, while Nigeria records 45%. Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo are both around 38%. Zambia currently has an internet pe*******on rate of approximately 33%, slightly ahead of Malawi at 18%, while Burundi remains the lowest in Africa at about 12.5%.

Despite these challenges, the World Bank notes that Sub-Saharan Africa has made significant progress in digital transformation over the past decade, with millions of people gaining internet access and using digital services productively. Countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa have emerged as leaders in fintech, mobile technology, and digital governance due to deliberate investment and policy direction.

Zambia has also shown signs of progress, but there is a need to accelerate digital transformation efforts. Both government and the private sector must work together to improve internet accessibility, digital infrastructure, and technology adoption. Increased internet pe*******on would create opportunities for businesses that rely heavily on digital platforms, particularly e-commerce companies.

Countries like Kenya and South Africa continue to attract major e-commerce investments largely because of higher internet accessibility. Population size alone is not enough; widespread internet access is what creates viable digital markets. In Zambia, companies such as Pamarket Online Limited, Tigmoo, and Afri Supermarket face growth limitations partly due to low internet pe*******on. Similarly, logistics and ride-hailing companies like Yango, inDrive, and Bolt would benefit greatly from a larger digitally connected population.

Ultimately, digital transformation must remain a national priority if Zambia is to achieve sustainable economic growth. Higher internet pe*******on increases opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and digital businesses. With AI acting as a catalyst for development, Zambia has the potential to make significant progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). However, this will require strategic planning, investment, and strong collaboration between the government and private sector.