ICT to help develop youth skills - ZICTA
THE ecosystem has begun to take shape with the involvement of multifaceted players in the innovations of the ICT sector for the Zambian youths to develop their skills.
Speaking during the pitching event for the ICT Innovation Programme at Southern Sun Hotel, Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) director-general, Patrick Mutimushi said the initiative was recognised as due to the hunger of young Zambians to use ICTs.
Mr Mutimushi said that with reference to its mandate to support research and development, ZICTA embarked on the ICT innovation programme with the aim of assisting young Zambians who had innovative ideas based on various ICT platforms.
He said ZICTA had therefore, prioritised innovation as a key focus area in its current strategic plan to take it to the fore front of the authority’s activities.
“We are yet to have a board, representation from cooperating partners and we look forward to them joining this noble cause that is defining the future of the ICT industry, not only in Zambia but also in countries which will be use these innovations by our young people,” said Mr Mutimushi.
He noted that the innovators had undergone technical development, acquired business development skills such as in sales, marketing and business planning.
Mr Mutimushi said the programme would give enough motivation to the innovators to see their ideas through conceptual stages which will help them realise that they can transform them into practical functional income earning activities.