Lusaka, Zambia, 5^th February 2026 – The Electronic Government Division-SMART Zambia Institute, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the High Commission of India in Zambia, is working to strengthen cooperation between the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of India in advancing digital public infrastructure for health. This collaboration places particular emphasis on enhancing medicines traceability and strengthening supply chain management systems.

Through this partnership, the Government of India is supporting the Government of the Republic of Zambia in drawing on India’s Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) experience to inform the design and adaptation of a digital health supply chain solution to enable digital tracking and traceability of medicines and medical supplies, with implementation led by the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA). The initiative is aimed at progressively improving end-to-end visibility of medicines, enhancing data management and strengthening accountability across procurement, warehousing and distribution.

The partnership responds to persistent challenges in the national health supply chain, including limited real time stock visibility, delayed data flows, avoidable stock outs and expiry losses in facilities. By strengthening digital traceability, the initiative will support improved planning, faster decision making, and more efficient use of public health resources.

The digital solution is designed to enable real time monitoring of medicines from the manufacturer to the health facility, while being interoperable, scalable and built on open-source architecture and aligned with Zambia’s national digital interoperability frameworks. This approach aims to promote long term sustainability, government ownership and seamless integration with existing national digital systems.

Speaking on the partnership, SMART Zambia Institute National Coordinator, Mr. Percy Chinyama, said the initiative reflects Government’s commitment to building integrated and reliable digital systems.

“This partnership is about building a government owned digital foundation that enables different institutions to work from the same digital platform. Reliable data, interoperable and open systems are essential if digital health solutions are to scale nationally and deliver lasting value,” Mr Chinyama said.

As part of the cooperation, the Government of India, with support from UNDP Zambia, will host a five day benchmarking mission to India in early February 2026. A Zambian delegation comprising representatives from the Ministry of Health, ZAMMSA, Zambia Revenue Authority, SMART Zambia Institute, and the Presidential Delivery Unit will participate in technical training and field visits in Delhi.

And India’s High Commissioner to Zambia, H.E. Mr. Alok Ranjan Jha, said the partnership reflects India’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s digital transformation.

“India’s experience shows that digital health systems can be scaled nationally when they are open, interoperable, and institutionally owned. We are pleased to support Zambia’s efforts through technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and capacity building,” he said.

UNDP Zambia Resident Representative Mr. James Wakiaga noted that the initiative demonstrates effective cooperation, combining India’s digital public infrastructure expertise with Zambia’s development priorities.

“Digital traceability will enhance service delivery, reduce waste, and strengthen trust in public systems. UNDP remains committed to supporting Zambia to translate digital investments into measurable health outcomes,” - Mr Wakiaga disclosed.

The partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening resilient, data-driven health systems and deepening cooperation between Zambia and India in digital public infrastructure and innovation.

###

For more information and media interviews, contact:

Dr Saleban Omar, Senior Programme Advisor, Saleban.omar@undp.org 

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 eGovernment and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Public Service including infrastructure and 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 Electronic 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.