Indian software company Zoho Corp., in collaboration with Loita Business, is set to invest $30 million in Zambia, aiming to boost technology adoption and digital transformation among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as large enterprises. This initiative will be officially launched during the inaugural Zambia Digital Week 2025, scheduled for January 28–30, 2025, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
Overview of Zambia Digital Week 2025
Zambia Digital Week, organized by Loita Business in partnership with the Ministry of Technology and Science, Smart Africa, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Digital Council Africa, and Invest Africa, aims to unite local, regional, and global leaders from various sectors. The goal is to foster collaboration that will advance Zambia’s digital economy and support its ongoing digital revolution.
Zoho’s Commitment to Zambian SMEs
Zoho has been actively engaged in Zambia for the past five years and is committed to enhancing the country’s economic sustainability through digitalization efforts. Andrew Bourne, Regional Manager for Zoho Africa, expressed confidence in Zambia’s potential for growth, stating:
“We believe Zambia offers attractive opportunities for growth and expansion.”
Zoho’s mission focuses on making innovative solutions accessible and affordable for businesses of all sizes. With over 55 business applications designed for various functions such as sales support, marketing, HR, payments, and finance, Zoho has established a significant presence globally. The company boasts approximately 100 million registered users across over 50 countries, with more than half a million paying customers.
Future Goals
Looking ahead, Zoho aims to strengthen its position in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region by supporting government objectives aimed at achieving a fully digitalized upper-middle-income economy. Bourne emphasized the importance of lowering technical barriers for SMEs and enterprises to facilitate their digital transformation.This investment not only underscores Zoho’s commitment to empowering local businesses but also reflects a broader trend of increasing cloud technology adoption among SMEs in Africa. As noted in recent surveys, many businesses are planning to increase their cloud spending significantly in the coming years. Zoho’s strategic initiatives in Zambia are part of its larger vision to lead digital transformation efforts across emerging markets while ensuring that its solutions remain user-friendly and cost-effective.
