VICE-PRESIDENT Mutale Nalumango is heading back to Zambia after a successful trip in China where she went to attend the 2024 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen.
The four-day conference concluded on Friday, from November 19 to 22 with more than 1,800 guests from over 130 countries and regions participating.
“For Zambia this (the conference) is an opportunity to learn, exchange ideas and build partnerships that harness digital technology for the wellbeing of our citizens,” Nalumango said in her address.
“We are therefore committed to ensuring that digital technology, particularly AI uplifts lives, foster economic growth and drive sustainable development for all.”
The 2024 edition of the World Internet Conference was themed “Embracing a People-Centered and AI for Good Digital Future – Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace.”
Global Development Initiative, the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI) technology governance were part of the topics tackled at the event with different tech companies’ exhibitions.
During her trip, the vice president also met high level officials and businesses in order to attract investment into the country.
She disclosed via her Facebook account that the meetings yielded fruits as Alibaba group of companies offered free support to train a team of Zambian AI ‘wizards’.
“I have since instructed the National Coordinator from Smart Zambia, Mr. Percy Chinyama and his counterpart Ms Lilian Kapusana who are with us here to handle this matter with a deserved utmost transparency.”
“Further ‘Alibaba’ has requested Zambia to open more doors to allow exchange of investments between Alibaba Group of Companies and Government of the Republic of Zambia,” Wrote Nalumango.
Meanwhile, Nalumango met Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Zambia are comprehensive strategic cooperative partners with traditional friendship.
Ding added that the two countries have set a good example of China-Africa cooperation and solid coordination among Global South countries.
“China is willing to work with Zambia to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, deepen cooperation on infrastructure, agriculture, minerals and other fields, to advance China-Zambia relations to a higher level,” read the statement.
Nalumango is quoted saying the friendship between Zambia and China had gained renewed vigor.
She appreciated China’s valuable support for Zambia’s development and is willing to comprehensively deepen cooperation with China and promote better development of Zambia-China and Africa-China relations.
By Moses Makwaya
Kalemba November 23, 2024
