Zambia launches National Public Key Infrastructure to secure digital transactions

Zambia has launched its National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI) to secure digital identities, electronic documents, and online transactions. The initiative aims to provide a legal and technical framework for verifying digital signatures and protecting against fraud, impersonation, and data alteration.

According to Eng. Dr Brilliant Habeenzu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Technology and Science, the NPKI is a critical step in establishing a trusted digital environment. The framework is expected to support the country’s digital transformation by enabling more efficient government-to-citizen and government-to-government interactions, reducing reliance on paper-based processes, and lowering administrative costs.

For the private sector, the infrastructure is intended to provide greater security and predictability for electronic transactions with customers, suppliers, and financial institutions. This rollout aligns with broader regional efforts within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to modernize digital payments and public services.