Lusaka, Zambia – 30th August 2023 – inq. Digital Company is a global leader in cutting-edge computing technology, founded to deliver innovative, customised, and business-relevant digital services at the forefront of technology. The company operates not only in Zambia but also maintains a footprint in ten other African and Asian countries. inq. Digital offers a range of services, including cybersecurity, banking, insurance, and secure access control, establishing itself as a global provider of edge solutions.
Recently, inq. Digital Zambia unveiled what looked like a tantalising bevy of AI products. During a product launch hosted at Ciela Resort in Lusaka, inq. Digital and its guests were treated to a speech by Mr. Milner Makuni, Director of Communications and ICT Development at the Ministry of Science and Technology. Mr. Makuni was standing in for the would-be guest of honour, Hon. Felix Mutati, the Minister at the helm who was not present guest the occasion.
Mr. Makuni started by emphasising the significance of the occasion, which brought together key stakeholders, thought leaders, and experts from various sectors to discuss and explore the transformative potential of innovative technologies in shaping Zambia’s future and their impact on the industry.
“I am honoured to stand before you today as we witness the rapid evolution of the world around us,” Mr. Makuni said, “And as Zambia embarks on a new era of innovation and possibilities with groundbreaking solutions that keep pace with the ever-expanding digital landscape.” Mr. Makuni commented that he was joining the other guests of the launch to celebrate inq.’s exciting bevy of new artificial intelligence offerings. Those offerings included EDGE DOC AI, WIFI6, and a range of IoT solutions and marked a remarkable leap forward in technology, promising to redefine how product users would connect, compute, and create.
Mr. Makuni reiterated that the government of Zambia would always support crucial initiatives such as the inq. Digital launch. He observed that recent trends bore testament to a remarkable narrative of progress from mainframes to cloud computing, with each advancement shaping how people connect with information and each with other. From his point of view, the day was reminiscent of a point in time where Zambians stood on the precipice of another transformative leap—the era of artificial intelligence, of digitalisation, and of edge solutions. It was, according to him, apparent that the exponential growth of data, coupled with the demand for real insights, has paved the way for technology to be closer to the source and at the edge.
“The Ministry of Technology and Science believes that private sector businesses, in collaboration with the government and cooperating partners, will accelerate digital transformation and establish an information and knowledge-based society,” Mr Makuni said. “We have confidence in Zambia’s commitment to embracing technological advancements under the visionary leadership of President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema and the new government.”
Mr. Makuni was keen to indicate that government’s efforts to attain the Vision 2030 goal of achieving an information and knowledge-based society, meant that his ministry has been fostering technological innovation by supporting and encouraging efforts such as inq.’s product launch. That initiative, he said, was advancing the digital landscape within Zambia and beyond. Government was delighted to have proactive partnerships with inq., a pan-African company with solutions developed by Africans for Africa, including Zambia.
Part of Mr. Makuni’s speech made a positive nod to Dr. Andile Ngcaba. Andile Abner Ngcaba is a South African businessman who has devoted most of his life and career to the field of technology, in particular communications, and is Executive Chairman of inq. Digital. “I would like to appreciate Dr. Andile Ngcaba and his leadership as a key pioneer for this pan-African company, which continues to grow and impact Africa positively.”
From Mr. Makuni’s point of view, Inq.’s thrust to automate processes using its own patented Doc AI, Edge AI, and SD WAN was commendable. He was encouraged that these technologies being showcased by inq., combined with WIFI6, would not only enhance the user experience but also enable seamless Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, which he hoped the country would be able to access in fairly short order. He clarified that the ministry would always strive to encourage collaborators like inq. and provide an enabling environment for investors in the ICT sector. “We trust that the experiences and successes derived from this partnership will serve as a beacon of inspiration within Zambia and beyond. The government’s goal is to leverage technology for socio-economic development for all.”
The launch of such AI solutions not only signified the beginning of a new era in technology and collaboration in the country but, according to Mr. Makuni, also meant that the country was entering a phase where technology actors were creating local solutions, by local people, using local capabilities in Africa—solutions that people can trust and fully rely on in respect of security. Mr. Makuni made the point of wishing the journey into the new realm of technological advancement to be one of shared discovery, collective success, and lasting impact for Zambia and beyond.