Africa Must Expand Digital Access HAIMBE

The event was held on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Mr. HAIMBE is representing President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA.

Mr. HAIMBE said technology governance must go hand in hand with access, noting that only 36 per cent of Africa’s population is currently online.

He said connectivity is therefore the first gateway to Artificial Intelligence and that Africa needs greater investment in digital infrastructure, computing capacity and skills to enable the continent to participate not only as a consumer of emerging technologies, but also as a shaper of those technologies.

On development financing, Mr. HAIMBE said Africa needs reforms to the international financial architecture, including action on debt, the cost of capital, affordable long-term financing, domestic resource mobilisation, and greater voice and representation.

He said the reforms are critical to Africa’s ability to invest in infrastructure, education, health, job creation and economic transformation.

Mr. HAIMBE said Zambia remains committed to strengthening domestic resource mobilisation and aligning public resources with national development priorities.

He also called for the Pact for the Future to remain central to discussions on the ongoing UN80 reforms, saying the commitments contained in the pact should guide the future direction of the United Nations.

Mr. HAIMBE said many of the solutions being sought in areas such as development financing, technology, peace and security, human rights, and the renewal of multilateralism are already reflected in the pact.

He said the commitments should remain part of the reform process.

Namibian President NETUMBO NANDI-NDAITWAH moderated the event, which also brought together Kenyan President WILLIAM RUTO, President of Senegal BASSIROU DIOMAYE FAYE, SADC Executive Secretary ELIAS M. MAGOSI, African Union representatives, senior United Nations officials, ministers, youth and civil society representatives.

During the general discussion, participants reviewed Africa’s progress and challenges under the Pact for the Future, focusing on youth empowerment, development financing, international tax cooperation, digital transformation, and ensuring that future generations have a voice in global decision-making.