A New Era of Innovation Begins at iHub
Lusaka, Zambia — On November 6, 2025, the University of Zambia (UNZA), in partnership with Infratel Zambia Limited, officially unveiled the UNZA Innovation Hub, a dynamic space dedicated to fostering digital transformation, research, and entrepreneurship among young innovators.
The launch event, held at UNZA’s Great East Road campus, marked a milestone in Zambia’s journey toward building a sustainable and inclusive innovation ecosystem. The hub will serve as a catalyst for students, startups, and faculty to collaborate on technology-driven solutions to real-world challenges.
“Today, we are not just opening a building — we are opening doors of opportunity for Zambian youth,” said Eng. Trevor Kaunda, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Technology and Science. “This hub will bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical innovation.”
Driving Digital Transformation
The Infratel–UNZA partnership brings together government, academia, and industry to accelerate Zambia’s digital transformation. Through this collaboration, the hub will:
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Provide co-working and incubation spaces for students and startups.
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Offer mentorship programs led by seasoned professionals and entrepreneurs.
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Facilitate research partnerships between UNZA faculty, students, and industry experts.
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Host hackathons, bootcamps, and innovation challenges to nurture problem-solving and creativity.
“Our goal is to ensure that innovation doesn’t end in classrooms but continues into the marketplace,” said Infratel CEO, Eng. Patrick Mutimushi. “We want to empower innovators to dream, build, and launch products that make Zambia competitive in the global tech economy.”
Empowering Students and Startups
The Innovation Hub will initially focus on four key pillars:
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Technology & Software Development — nurturing digital skills in coding, data science, and artificial intelligence.
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Entrepreneurship & Business Development — helping startups refine business models and access investors.
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Research & Academia Collaboration — enabling students and researchers to co-develop innovative projects.
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Sustainability & Social Impact — promoting innovation that addresses Zambia’s environmental and social challenges.
Voices from the Launch
The launch event drew government officials, UNZA management, private-sector leaders, and students.
Prof. Annie Mwape, UNZA Vice Chancellor, highlighted the importance of collaboration:
“The Innovation Hub is a living example of what happens when academia and industry come together. This is how we build the Zambia we want — through knowledge, innovation, and partnership.”
Looking Ahead
In the coming months, the Hub will roll out its first programs, including the Innovation Challenge Series, Internship Pipeline, and Startup Accelerator, connecting students to real business problems and solutions.
Students and innovators are encouraged to register on the Innovation Hub’s website to access upcoming events, training, and mentorship opportunities.
Join the Movement Today
With the Innovation Hub now open, the call is clear — Zambia’s next wave of innovators begins here.
Whether you are a student, startup founder, mentor, or partner, the hub invites you to be part of this journey to dream it, build it, and launch it.
