by ARNOLD MULENGA
LUSAKA – IN its quest to become a smart city nation, Zambia is drawing inspiration from the Chinese city of Guangzhou.
A delegation of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has visited the Guangzhou Smart City Operation Centre, a tour aimed at exploring innovative urban management systems and smart city technologies that could inspire Zambia’s own developmental aspirations.
The visit has been a key highlight in the delegation’s programme in Guangzhou, capital of the southern Guangdong province, the most populous in China.
The tour is part of the UPND’s tour to China, the Asian global economic powerhouse, at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The UPND delegation this past weekend engaged in a briefing with city officials and technology experts, who shared case studies on smart mobility, waste management, citywide surveillance and integrated command systems.
How citizen data is used to inform policy and respond rapidly to urban challenges is also featured.
“The city’s (Guangzhou’s) advanced level of digital integration is impressive and serves as a model for Zambia,” said Batuke Imenda, the UPND Secretary General.
The delegation’s leader said China’s smart city model was progressive and a visionary approach to urban management, highlighting its relevance to Zambia’s development goals.
Imenda added the integration of digital infrastructure and intelligent systems offered critical lessons on enhancing service delivery, promoting accountability and improving the quality of life for citizens.
“This visit has been an eye-opener. We’ve seen firsthand how digital systems can make cities more efficient, responsive, and sustainable,” Imenda said.
“For Zambia, this experience is a strong reminder of the importance of embracing smart technologies as we modernize our urban centres and promote decentralisation.”
The Guangzhou Smart City Operation Centre is referred to as the “brain” of the city.
The centre integrates big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time information to manage urban operations.
In 2024, the Zambian government and Huawei Technologies signed a memorandum of understanding to construct 100 smart villages in the Southern African country.
– CAJ News
