Lusaka, Zambia, 31^st October 2025 – The Ministry of Health formalised a partnership with Smart Zambia Institute (SZI)  and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the signing of a Letter of Agreement (LOA) to strengthen digital connectivity across Zambia’s health facilities under the Smart Health Systems (SHS) project.

"This partnership aligns with our national strategies for information systems, supply chain visibility, cold chain reliability, and continuous quality improvement. It is designed to complement and not duplicate, what already exists, and it prioritises interoperability so that we reinforce one coherent approach across the health sector." shared Mrs Joma T. Simuyi, Permanent Secretary Administration (MoH), in remarks delivered on her behalf. "Cybersecurity and data protection are integral to this effort, from the way networks are configured to the way information is accessed and stored."

Implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and supported by the Global Fund, the Smart Health Systems project combines solar energy, digital technology, and climate-smart infrastructure to enhance healthcare delivery and resilience in rural and peri-urban areas. The new partnership with the Smart Zambia Institute will enhance these efforts by ensuring that health facilities powered through the project are also connected to reliable, high-speed internet to support digital health services, IoT sensors to monitor temperature, security, waste, water and air quality, and an eVIN Track and Trace system to digitize the management of medicines and medical supplies

The signing ceremony, held at the Office of the National Coordinator of the Smart Zambia Institute, was witnessed by representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), the Ministry of Energy, and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA).

“As Smart Zambia, we reaffirm our mandate to provide reliable, secure, and integrated digital government services to our citizens, driving the nation toward an accelerated digital economy. Despite many great success stories, we recognize that there still remain visible gaps, especially in the rural health sector” noted Mr. Percy Chinyama, the National Coordinator for Smart Zambia Institute.

Emphasising the purpose of the broader Smart Health Systems project, "Beyond frameworks and goals, this initiative is ultimately about people. It is about ensuring that a child in a rural community has the same chance to survive a fever, that women have access to crucial specialised services, and that health workers have the same tools to serve, regardless of how remote they are.

"I would like to recognise the unwavering commitment of the Ministry of Health for their leadership, and the Smart Zambia Institute for their technical expertise. Your collaboration illustrates how development cooperation should be: government-led, data-driven, and inclusive", Dr Wakiaga added.

The Smart Health Systems project builds on the Solar for Health project, which has already powered over 400 health facilities across Zambia. This next phase expands the programme’s scope as part of Zambia’s broader efforts to achieve Zambia’s broader efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

By integrating renewable energy and digital infrastructure, the initiative ensures that health centres can provide continuous, quality services, even in off-grid or climate-affected regions. It also aligns with Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan and supports the Government’s vision for a digital and inclusive economy.

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For more information and media interviews, contact:

Dr Kalangwa Kalangwa , Assistant Director Health Promotion , kalangwa.kalangwa@moh.gov.zm 

Delight Haangala, Communications Specialist, delight.haangala@szi.gov.zm

Mercy Khozi, Communications Analyst, mercy.khozi@undp.org 

ABOUT SMART ZAMBIA INSTITUTE

Our mandate is to coordinate and implement Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and develop systems for the provision of electronic services to facilitate Government to Government (G2G), Government to Business (G2B), and Government to Citizens (G2C) services in a secure and robust environment as provided in the Government Act No. 41 of 2021.

ABOUT UNDP

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in some 177 countries and territories, we offer a global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.