PRESS STATEMENT
Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
17th September 2025
The Minister of Tourism ,Honourable Rodney Sikumba, MP, has reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to protecting and modernizing our cultural heritage through digital technology at the Inaugural 2025 Cultural Heritage Digitalization Forum in Xi’an. Framing heritage as a sacred national inheritance and a catalyst for jobs and inclusive growth, the Minister spoke under the theme, “Bridging History through Digitalization, Building Civilization with Intelligence,” and situated Zambia’s efforts within a coherent national policy agenda.
Building on this policy foundation, the Minister highlighted steady progress anchored in the 2023–2026 National Digital Transformation Strategy and its 5D pillars, infrastructure, heritage services access platforms, Digitization of cultural heritage services, Digital skills and entrepreneurship and innovation on the cultural landscape.
These measures complement the National Museums Policy and the Electronic Government Act No. 41 of 2021, while Government advances updates to the Museums Act and the National Heritage Conservation Commission framework to better enable digital solutions and public‑private participation.
In practical terms, institutions such as the Livingstone Museum have already commenced the digitization of collections and oral traditions, translating policy into tangible public value.
Through Zambia -China cooperation, Zambia now hosts its first digital museum, the Tanzania, Zambia Railway (TAZARA) memorial Museum which showcases how the People’s Republic of China stood with Zambia and Tanzania during a difficult period to establish a strategic trade linkage.
The platform recounts historic discussions between President Kenneth Kaunda, Chairman Mao Zedong and Julius Nyerere that led to the TAZARA Railway, a lasting symbol of friendship and a practical conduit for regional commerce.
He invited deeper collaboration with international partners and private investors across the culture‑tech value chain. Zambia stands ready to welcome investment that preserves heritage while creating jobs and enterprise opportunities for youth and communities.
The Minister expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Province of Shaanxi, the World Internet Conference and cooperating partners for their steadfast support to digital transformation in the cultural heritage sector. This partnership approach will continue to guide Zambia’s actions as the country scales up an inclusive heritage ecosystem.
Issued by
Nelly Banda
