Zambia Levels Up Digital Access with Airtel's $107M Network Expansion

Zambia is really stepping up its game when it comes to getting everyone online, thanks to Airtel’s massive network expansion push. On December 18, 2025, folks from the Ministry of Technology and Science in Zambia headed out for a hands-on site visit to the Airtel telecom towers in Nyumba Yanga and Chalala (also known as Shantumbu). This was all about checking how things are going with boosting network quality and speeding up the country’s shift to a more digital world.

The team got a close look at the towers’ day-to-day operations, how well they’re performing technically, and even their safety setups. They also checked out some smart power fixes, like solar-backed systems, to keep the network running non-stop, 24/7. Zambia levels up digital access with Airtel’s network expansion like this shows real commitment. It was a chance to chat with Airtel’s bosses and tech experts, chat about their big infrastructure projects, and show the government’s full support for spreading digital access far and wide.

Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Mutati, didn’t hold back on addressing what people are complaining about, like those frustrating dropped calls and spotty service overall. He made it clear the government is right there with Airtel, pushing hard for fixes that actually work. Zambia levels up digital access with network expansion through this $107 million investment in 406 new sites, which is a huge move to make connections better and open up digital services to more everyday Zambians. The minister gave a shoutout to the new rules that make it easier and faster to build these towers, like quicker approvals that cut through the red tape.

Zambia levels up digital access with Airtel's network expansion

Airtel Zambia’s Managing Director, Mr. Hussam Baday, shared the exciting updates: 126 of those new sites are already up and running, including the ones they inspected. These are key pieces of a rollout set to wrap up by March 2026. He pointed out that this $107 million spend is the biggest single-year cash injection in the company’s history here in Zambia. It’s all geared toward closing the gap in digital access, sharpening up service quality, and making the whole network tougher against glitches.

Zambia leveling up digital access with Airtel’s $107M network expansion isn’t just talk, it’s action happening now. The visit really drove home the solid teamwork between the government and private players like Airtel in pushing Zambia’s digital goals forward. They saw real results in expanding the network, those clever power solutions for reliability, and a shared drive from everyone involved to boost digital inclusion. In the end, this means better connections that can spark economic growth and just make life smoother for all Zambians through dependable telecom services.

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