The Zambian government has officially signed the Information and Communication Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ) Statutory Instrument Act of 2018. This legislation establishes general regulations and professional ethics aimed at bringing greater structure and accountability to the ICT sector.
Felix Mutati, the Minister of Technology and Science, emphasized that this move is intended to "restore order and sanity" in a sector increasingly affected by cybercrimes and imposters. He expressed optimism that the statutory instrument (SI) would help eliminate disruptive elements within the industry and rebuild public trust. "I’m hopeful this SI will eliminate industry trolls and restore public confidence," the minister noted, reaffirming the government's commitment to reestablishing order, a key factor in fostering economic growth.
Percy Chinyama, National Coordinator of SMART Zambia Institute, underscored the significance of registering all ICT professionals. He also raised concerns about the growing negativity on social media, where insults and impunity have become widespread. "The culture displayed on social media does not reflect who we are as a people. We can no longer ignore this, as it reflects poorly on our country," Chinyama remarked, calling for a cultural shift in online behavior.
Clement Sinyangwe, President of ICTAZ, welcomed the new regulations. He looks forward to the strong compliance measures that will ensure IT practitioners uphold professional standards across the sector.
