The Zambian government has officially signed the Information and Communication Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ) Statutory Instrument Act of 2018, aiming to establish stronger regulatory frameworks and uphold professional ethics in the ICT sector.
Speaking at the signing, Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, highlighted the government’s commitment to “restoring order and sanity” within a sector impacted by cybercrime and unlicensed practitioners. “I’m hopeful this Statutory Instrument will eliminate industry trolls and restore public confidence,” said Mutati, underlining the government’s focus on fostering a secure and orderly ICT environment that supports economic growth.
SMART Zambia Institute’s National Coordinator, Percy Chinyama, emphasized the necessity of registering all ICT professionals and expressed concern over the prevalence of negative behavior on social media platforms. “The culture displayed on social media does not reflect who we are as a people,” Chinyama stated, stressing that such conduct affects the nation’s image.
Additionally, ICTAZ President Clement Sinyangwe welcomed the new regulations, expressing confidence in compliance measures to ensure ICT professionals uphold high standards across the industry.
The Statutory Instrument reflects the government’s proactive steps to address challenges within Zambia’s ICT sector, aiming for a safer and more regulated digital environment for both professionals and the public.
