ICT profile in Zambia

• Human Development Index (2006): 0.407 (ranking 165 out of 177, low-development country)
• Area:  752.618 km²
• Population (2003 Census): 9.582.418, population density: 16/km²
• GDP (PPP, 2005): 10,79 billion US$ ; GDP per capital, 931 US$   (168th of 181)
• Human Poverty Index (HPI-1): 87 out of 102 countries ranked for HPI-1
• Telephone lines (per 100 people-2004): fixed - 7;  mobile – 18
• Internet users (per 1000 people). 20

Zambia is located in lower central Africa, bordering with 8 countries. It is landlocked and has been independent from England for 42 years. Its main language in Zambia is English, there are other 5 major languages, and over 70 local dialects.

While poor, it is not at the bottom of development in Africa, essentially because of the relative calm and stability it has enjoyed for decades (particularly contrasting with some of its neighbors like Congo, Angola and Zimbabwe). Still, conditions are dire: more than seventy percent of the people live under the national poverty line and life expectancy stands at a tragic 36,9 years, worsened in recent years from the spread of HIV/AIDS.

In regards to ICT and the Information Society, Zambia is in its infancy. LDC. Telecommunication penetration is rather low, with a rapidly growing mobile market as in other African countries. The use of Internet is practically non-existent, though more telecenters and cibercafes are appearing in larger urban centers. The Government is putting a priority on ICT aware that communications are essential for economic growth. It drafted a national ICT policy in 2006, having previously regulated the telecom market to introduce competition (there are 3 phone networks). There is a scarcity of trained ICT technical professionals at hand.

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