PHILIP CHISALU
Lusaka
SCIENCE and Technology Minister Felix Mutati says Africa has transitioned from a continent of potential to one of innovation and technology.
Mr Mutati says Government is pushing for a mind-set change that believes in African talent.
And the minister has unveiled 10 minetech innovators under the Minetech Hub, which is supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Timbuktoo initiative.
Selected from over 350 applications, the innovators, who are set to push the needle on mining technology on the continent and across the globe, have been drawn from Zambia (two), Rwanda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Kenya, Congo Dr, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Nigeria.
Speaking yesterday when he unveiled the team, Mr Mutati emphasised the need to include the private sector in the yet-to-be-enacted Start-up Bill.
“…And PS [Brilliant Habeenzu], our Start-up Bill is overdue because in the start-up bill you have got a Venture Capital Chapter and we need to make it independent to allow the private sector to be able to put money in that venture.
“It’s good for transparency and credibility. We are not saying that if it’s put and managed by government it won’t be transparent.
Everybody wants to have some level of control where you put your money,” Mr Mutati said.
