Zambia's young innovators have done something remarkable: they've put the country on the global AI map. Team Zambia reached the global finals of the 2026 AI for Good Global Summit and Robotics for Good Youth Challenge in Geneva — competing against nearly 50 nations.
On 17 July, the Government honoured the team at a special ceremony in Lusaka. The headlines from that event make one thing clear: this is a national milestone.
What Happened in Geneva
The AI for Good Global Summit, hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) — a United Nations specialised agency — is the world's leading United Nations platform for artificial intelligence. Each year, it brings together the brightest young innovators from around the world to showcase how AI can be used to solve humanity's most pressing challenges.
For Zambia to make it to the global finals, in a field of nearly 50 countries, is no small achievement. It signals that Zambian youth can compete — and win attention — on the world's biggest AI stage.
What Was Announced at the Lusaka Ceremony
The ceremony in Lusaka wasn't just a celebration. It came with concrete next steps that could shape the country's AI trajectory for years to come:
🔬 Zambia's first-ever AI for Good Lab. In partnership with the ITU, Zambia has been offered the opportunity to host the country's first AI for Good Lab — a dedicated space for young innovators to develop AI solutions to local challenges.
🚀 An invitation back to Geneva. Zambia has been invited to compete again at the 2027 AI for Good Global Summit. The team now has a year to refine its work and return even stronger.
📜 A National AI Strategy, nearing completion. The Government confirmed that Zambia's National AI Strategy is in the final stages of development, with stakeholder input still open. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for organisations, educators, and citizens to shape how the country approaches AI.
💡 Nine months of mentorship, from scratch to global stage. The team was mentored from the ground up by E-MARK Innovation Hub. In just nine months, they went from raw potential to representing their country on the world stage.
What the Leaders Said
Deputy Cabinet Secretary Dr Oliver Kalabo called the achievement a national milestone — a moment Zambia should celebrate and build on. From the Presidential Delivery Unit, Kusobile Kamwambi described ICT as "one of Zambia's fastest-growing sectors" and pointed to AI as a key driver of that growth.
The CEO of E-MARK Innovation Hub put it most directly: Zambia has the talent — it now needs the investment in tech, research, and innovation to match it.
Why This Matters for Digital Literacy
At Digital Literacy Consultants, this story resonates deeply. It's proof of something we see every day in our training rooms: Zambian learners, given the right skills and support, can compete with anyone. The challenge isn't talent — it's access to structured training, modern equipment, and sustained mentorship.
A group of young Zambians, working with limited resources, out-innovated teams from 50 nations. Imagine what they — and the next generation — could achieve with real investment behind them.
If you're a school, institution, or organisation that wants to be part of building that future, we'd love to talk. Visit our quote page to start a conversation about training, technology, or a digital lab for your community.