Lusaka, 1st July 2021 – The National Technology Business Centre (NTBC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Agency (ZITCA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA_ and the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) are pleased to announce the Call for applications for the 2021 National Innovation Initiative (NII). 

The NII is a joint initiative to map out existing innovations across Zambian communities with a view of supporting the most promising initiatives with the highest potential for social and economic impact. The call therefore targets local innovators, technology-based start-ups and creative innovations that are solving societal challenges including the ones that help address the current COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative also aims at imparting technical and business development knowledge and skills in the targeted groups to for the successful commercialization of their innovations. The initiative is expected to provide financial support to the best innovations in various selected categories. 

The final stage in the implementation of the NII will offer an opportunity to the shortlisted applicants from all ten (10) provinces of Zambia to compete and showcase their projects at the National Innovation Fair to be held in Lusaka in November 2021. 20 finalists with the most promising and impact driven projects will be selected to undergo an accelerator programme designed by the UNDP Accelerator Lab with its partners. 

Innovators from all ten (10) provinces of Zambia are hereby invited to submit their applications for consideration into the 2021 cohort of the NII.    Applications can be submitted online via the application link http://bit.ly/2021-nii. Candidates may also submit their applications at the nearest Provincial Administration Office or Chamber of Commerce and Industry in their provinces. For more information access: https://bit.ly/3x3mjZR

The closing date for receipt of applications is 30 August 2021. Kindly note that only successful candidates will be contacted.

Contact details

UNDP, Lusaka: Mercy Khozi, Communications Analyst; mercy.khozi@undp.org and/or Acclab.zm@undp.org, Website: www.zm.undp.org, Twitter: @UNDPZambia, Facebook.com/UNDPZambia, Email: acclab.zm@undp.org, +260211 386200, Lusaka

NTBC, Lusaka: Lulu Chuulu, Marketing Specialist; lchuulu@ntbc.co.zm, Website: www.ntbc.co.zm, Twitter: @NTBC, Facebook.com/NTBC, Email: info@ntbc.co.zm, +260 211 222355