By John Chola

MTN Zambia has entered into a strategic partnership with Nkwashi to provide high-speed digital connectivity to residents of the fast-growing residential development, a significant step towards building smart, connected communities in Zambia.

Under the partnership, Nkwashi residents will gain access to MTN’s 5G Home Internet service without paying upfront costs for internet devices and will benefit from affordable home internet bundles designed to make high-speed connectivity accessible to more households.

The initiative comes as demand for reliable home internet services continues to rise across Zambia, driven by increasing remote work, online learning, digital entertainment and the adoption of smart home technologies.

Speaking during the launch held at Nkwashi housing development site in the Mikango area Lusaka on Thursday, MTN Zambia Chief Home and Special Projects Officer, Elias Chembe, said connectivity had become an essential pillar of modern living.

“Whether people are working from home, learning online, streaming content, or managing smart home devices, they need internet solutions that are reliable, fast and effortless. Our partnership with Nkwashi allows us to bring the power of MTN Home directly into a community designed for the future,” Mr Chembe said.

The two companies say the deployment of 5G connectivity will enable residents to enjoy seamless video conferencing, cloud-based services, high-definition streaming, immersive gaming experiences and access to global e-learning platforms.

The network will also support internet-enabled devices and advanced security systems as homes increasingly adopt smart technologies.

Nkwashi Chief Operations Officer, Mumamba Mwansa, described the partnership as a major milestone in the company’s vision of creating more than just housing developments.

“Our vision goes beyond building houses. We are creating thriving communities, and dependable, high-quality connectivity is central to that vision. Through our partnership with MTN, our residents are assured of the digital infrastructure required for modern, connected lifestyles,” Mr Mwansa said.

The collaboration forms part of MTN Zambia’s broader strategy to expand advanced home connectivity solutions and accelerate digital adoption in residential developments across the country.

With Nkwashi expected to accommodate thousands of households as the development continues to expand, the partnership is expected to contribute to Zambia’s digital transformation agenda by creating a connected community where technology enhances productivity, convenience and quality of life.

MTN Zambia, which has operated in the country since 2005, is one of the country’s largest telecommunications provider with network coverage spanning all ten provinces through its 5G, 4G, 3G, Edge and 2G infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Nkwashi has emerged as one of Zambia’s leading mixed-use developments, combining residential, commercial and community infrastructure to support sustainable urban growth.