By John Chola

Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, today heralded the launch of the new AppJoy application as a pivotal step in bridging Zambia’s digital gap and empowering citizens through accessible technology.

Speaking at The Quorum Hotel in Kabulonga, the Minister underscored that such innovations are critical tools for economic and social inclusion.

The AppJoy platform, developed by Muen in partnership with Huawei and launched exclusively on MTN Zambia’s affordable Alola smartphone range, integrates entertainment, cloud storage, and games into a single ecosystem.

Minister Mutati emphasized that this goes beyond mere connectivity, calling digital inclusion an “economic and social imperative.”

“Innovations like AppJoy directly support our vision of digital transformation by expanding access, promoting inclusion, and encouraging innovation,” stated Minister Mutati.

He pointed to Zambia’s current smartphone penetration rate—approximately 55 percent nationally but below 30 percent in rural areas—as a gap that targeted products and partnerships must close.

Mutati specifically commended the collaboration between MTN Zambia and Huawei, describing it as a model public-private partnership that is helping the nation deploy essential telecommunications technology.

“This partnership reflects the spirit of collaboration between government and the private sector in driving technological advancement,” Mutati said. “It brings us closer to a Zambia where every citizen, regardless of income or location, can access digital tools that improve their livelihoods.”

He framed the app as an “engine of empowerment,” citing a hypothetical example of young creatives who can now monetize their content directly through the platform.
“Digital platforms are not just about entertainment—they are creating livelihoods for Zambian creatives,” he added, highlighting how digital access enables rural farmers, online entrepreneurs, and citizens interacting with e-government services.

The launch event brought together senior government officials, MTN Zambia CEO Abbad Reda, and Huawei Vice President Alex Xing, who reinforced their shared commitment to ensuring no Zambian is left behind in the digital age.

MTN Zambia’s CEO, Abbad Reda, said the AppJoy-enhanced Alola smartphones turn “cannot into can,” while Huawei’s Alex Xing affirmed the partnership as a commitment “to building a digital ecosystem that supports local growth.”

With the Government targeting 80 percent of public services to be accessible online by 2027, initiatives like the AppJoy launch are seen as critical building blocks for a digitally inclusive Zambia.

Minister Mutati concluded with a call for all stakeholders to embrace such tools to advance the nation’s collective prosperity.