Smart Zambia Institute, Huawei Sign MOU for National AI and Cloud Data Centre

The Smart Zambia Institute and Huawei signed a memorandum of understanding to build a national AI and cloud data centre, announced at the 2026 Zambia Mobile Congress by Vice President Mutale Nalumango.

The planned facility is intended to give Zambian government agencies and businesses access to domestic cloud and AI computing capacity, reducing reliance on infrastructure hosted outside the country. The agreement builds on Huawei's long-standing role as a telecommunications infrastructure partner across Southern Africa.

### Sovereign cloud capacity as a policy priority

The MOU reflects a wider pattern among Southern African governments of pursuing domestic data-centre capacity as part of digital sovereignty strategies, rather than relying solely on regionally hosted or foreign cloud services. Zambian officials framed the planned facility as foundational infrastructure for the country's national AI strategy and broader e-government ambitions.

No public timeline or investment figure was disclosed alongside the MOU signing. The agreement adds to a series of Zambian AI policy moves through 2026, including the country's continued implementation of its National AI Strategy adopted in 2024.