Zambia is preparing to launch a pilot programme aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into its education system as the country moves to modernise learning and equip students with skills needed for a digital economy.
The initiative follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Zambian government and Obrizum Group, a United Kingdom based educational technology firm headquartered in Cambridge that specialises in artificial intelligence driven learning platforms.
Officials say the pilot project is scheduled to begin in April and will focus primarily on secondary schools and institutions operating under the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority, commonly known as TEVET. The programme forms part of broader national efforts to strengthen digital transformation across Zambia’s public sectors.
The agreement was signed in the capital city of Lusaka and has been described by policymakers as a major step toward introducing advanced technologies that could improve the quality and accessibility of education nationwide. Through the partnership, the government aims to test how artificial intelligence tools can support both teachers and students in delivering more effective learning outcomes.
Chibeza Agley signed the agreement on behalf of Obrizum Group. The company’s technology is designed to deliver adaptive learning systems that analyse student performance data and adjust teaching content accordingly. The platform is also capable of providing large scale analytics that allow institutions to monitor learning progress and improve training strategies.
Agley said the collaboration would demonstrate how artificial intelligence can transform the educational experience for both learners and educators. According to him, AI driven platforms can improve efficiency in digital learning environments while ensuring that students receive more personalised and responsive educational support.
The Zambian government believes such technology could help address long standing challenges in the education sector, particularly disparities in access to quality learning resources between urban and rural communities. By using artificial intelligence tools, educators may be able to tailor lessons according to the learning speed and capabilities of individual students.
Felix Mutati said the pilot programme aligns with the government’s wider strategy of preparing young people for participation in a rapidly evolving global economy driven by digital innovation.
Mutati explained that artificial intelligence could enable a shift away from traditional one size fits all classroom models toward more personalised learning systems. Under such an approach, technology can help teachers track student performance in real time, identify learning gaps more quickly and deliver targeted instruction to improve academic outcomes.
He added that AI powered learning systems may also help reduce the cost of delivering education, especially in areas where schools face shortages of qualified teaching staff or learning materials. By supporting teachers with digital tools that analyse student data and provide recommendations, the government hopes to increase efficiency within the national education system.
The project forms part of Zambia’s broader digital transformation agenda outlined in its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2024 to 2026. The strategy aims to promote innovation across several sectors of the economy, including education, health care, finance and agriculture.
Government officials believe that adopting artificial intelligence technologies could play a major role in boosting economic development. According to projections cited by policymakers, expanded use of AI across industries could potentially increase Zambia’s gross domestic product by about eight percent by the end of the decade.
Education experts say initiatives like the AI pilot programme could also help prepare Zambia’s workforce for the future by equipping students with digital skills that are increasingly demanded in global labour markets. As economies around the world become more technology driven, countries that invest in digital education infrastructure may gain a competitive advantage in innovation and productivity.
The partnership with Obrizum Group also reflects a broader global trend in which governments are collaborating with private technology firms to accelerate digital transformation within public institutions. Artificial intelligence powered learning platforms have already been adopted in various education systems internationally, offering features such as personalised learning pathways, automated feedback systems and advanced data analysis.
For Zambia, the pilot project will serve as a testing phase to evaluate the effectiveness of AI tools in classrooms and vocational training environments. If successful, authorities may expand the technology to additional schools and institutions across the country.
Officials say the goal is to ensure that Zambia’s education system evolves alongside global technological advancements while providing students with the skills necessary to succeed in the digital age.
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