Status of innovation, research and development in Zambia | WestMac Media

By Winston Muleba Jr 

Last year, the Minister of Gender Victoria Kalima at the 61st session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in that took place in New York said Zambia was making strides in innovation and technology advancements. 

The minister said this during a ministerial side event adding that technology and innovation if well harnessed are key to improving standards of living to the citizenry in a competitive world.

She noted that technology and innovation enhances economic efficiency and optimizing the contribution of Zambians in economic growth and poverty reduction. 

A report by Katuta Devilliers on country profile and opportunities for innovation states that “the field of innovation in Zambia has been dominated by science and technological innovations. The government ministries, public and private research, and development institutions and universities are the major contributors and supporters of innovation.” 

Generally, innovation is basically regarded as the development of new products, services and processes which may be based on cutting research and development. As such, improving Zambia's innovation performance ought to be an essential component of the government growth plans. 

A 2011 publication on innovation and research strategy for grwoth indicates that innovative economies are more productive and fast growing; they deliver higher returns on investment and increased living standards. 

Considering Zambia's education, ICT, banking, agriculture, transport, energy among other key sectors, one could attest that the country is yet to fully appreciate innovations. In the education sector, students at some universities and colleges are still making queues to do course or admission registrations; in the ICT sector, some companies are still relying on systems such as pentium 4 installed with XP Operating systems; in the banking sector, its sad to note that mobile and internet banking are not yet part of some banks facilities; in the sector of agriculture - FISP/eVoucher scheme is yet to yield the expected results; in the transport sector, Professor Clive Chirwa's proposed to put up a railway line for an underground train, however, his idea was perceived as a pipe dream and expensive venture; in the energy sector, jatropha trees project is just another story that could be cited but died a natural death. 

By and large, it is every Zambian wish to see the country develop to its greater height but the question is should the country always rush to Israel, Germany, Japan, China or Cuba to source innovations? If so, for how long? 

According to the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Zambia has recorded more than 19 registered private universities under the 2013 Higher Education Act, which replaced the 1999 University Act. Private universities plus public universities which include university of Zambia, Copperbelt University, Mulungushi University, Chalimbana University, Mukuba University, Kwame Nkrumah University among other suggest that the country is well equipped interms of innovations. 

But studies shows that the libraries for the mentioned universities on average are 'fairly' equipped with relevant books. These libraries are rich interms of innovations which cuts across all sectors in the country. However, most of these innovations are shelved and only go to waste, only a few are implemented!

Studies further reveal that innovations documented in projects or dissertations for Diplomas, Bachelors, Masters and PhDs programmes are mostly used as reference books for final year students. And the chapter ends there! 

And Lusaka's innovation and technology hub called BongoHive has incubated many Innovators and produced many prototypes that provides solutions to society problems. However, only few of the innovators and prototypes have received the necessary support they deserve. In line with this, according to World Economic Forum earlier las year, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Botswana, called for an “innovation revolution” in Africa. “African innovators live in a new era of opportunity enterprise where there is enormous need for innovation,” she said, adding that, since Africa has the fastest-growing population on earth, it has huge human capital potential. But she also pointed out that the heavy research and development costs associated with fostering innovation have meant that this activity has tended to be the privilege of wealthy nations until now. I see Africa as a vibrant and bourgeoning continent full of many opportunities. But, of course, like any continent, it has its own unique set of challenges.” 

In conclusion changes call for innovation and innovation leads to progress. Literally, innovation improve competitiveness, boosts growth and create jobs. At the same time, research and innovation help make peoples lives better by improving healthcare, transport, digital services and countless new products and services. Therefore if Zambia is to develop, innovations and research by startups in all sectors and students dissertations should be supported and put to good use. Otherwise, the state of innovation, research and development in the country is still in its infancy. 

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About the Author: 

Winston Muleba Junior is a Researcher, Citizen Journalist, Aquaculturist, Writer and Disaster Management Practitioner who uses media and ICT to promote environmental conservation; science, technology and innovation. He gravitates towards environment: water, aquaculture, land, climate change and agriculture as he is skilled at juxtaposing the latest research and expert opinion with the everyday lives and struggles of people on the ground. Email: mwenyamuleba@gmail.com