Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole has highlighted the low knowledge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products in the province, attributing it to illiteracy, lack of electricity, and low levels of disposable income among households.
According to a 2022 ZICTA report, Eastern Province scored 13.5 percent in terms of knowledge of mobile phones, 3.0 percent for computers, and 3.6 percent for laptops.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Thole emphasized that the lack of internet access in many far-flung areas was a result of the absence of electricity.
Thole pointed out that approximately 50 percent of Eastern Province, particularly areas from Chipata going northwards up to Chama North, previously had no access to the national grid.
“However, recent efforts have connected previously underserved areas such as Chipangali, Lundazi, Lunsenfwa, and Lumezi to electricity.”
The low levels of disposable income in households were also mentioned as a significant factor. Eastern Province heavily relies on agriculture, and Thole noted that the introduction of mining activities in the province could potentially improve livelihoods and subsequently enhance access to costly ICT products.
“Agriculture has been our primary source of livelihood, but the discovery of high-value minerals such as granite, copper, and lithium in almost every district has opened up new opportunities. The increase in artisanal mining activities, if properly regulated, could contribute to the locals’ disposable income, enabling them to afford ICT products and gain more knowledge,” stated Thole.
The potential for increased mining activities to uplift the economy and create new opportunities for the local population was highlighted as a crucial step forward in addressing the challenges of low ICT knowledge and access in Eastern Province.
“Agriculture has been our source of livelihood, it is only now that we are beginning to discover high-value minerals in almost every district, minerals like granite, copper, and lithium, and now we are beginning to see an increase in terms of artisanal mining and if we can a legalized marketing of these minerals so that the locals can benefit, by then they can be able to afford spare Income for the ICT products and gain more knowledge,” he said.
