Zambia Airports Becomes First State-Owned Enterprise to Adopt SMART Office System

Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL)  has become the first state-owned enterprise (SOE) in Zambia to be onboarded onto the SMART Office Management System, marking a major milestone in the corporation’s digital transformation journey.

The system was officially commissioned and handed over to ZACL by Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa during a ceremony held on September 4, 2026, at Protea Hotel, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.

Kangwa highlighted digital transformation as an important tool for building a more efficient, transparent, accountable and citizen-centred public service. He also called on government institutions to prioritise the adoption and use of the SMART Office platform to improve performance and service delivery.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the system is expected to address delays, poor file tracking and administrative bottlenecks associated with manual processes. It will support faster approvals, secure records management and timely access to critical information.

SMART Zambia Institute National Coordinator Percy Chinyama said the platform will help ZACL transition from manual, paper-based processes to modern digital operations while improving productivity and decision-making. He also stressed the importance of commitment and collaboration among stakeholders for successful implementation.

ZACL Managing Director Urvesh Desai said the corporation views the initiative as an institutional transformation programme rather than simply an information technology project. The corporation also aims to establish a model that other state-owned enterprises can learn from as they pursue digital transformation.

The SMART Office Management System will streamline administrative processes, reduce reliance on paper, improve turnaround times and strengthen transparency, accountability and decision-making.

ZACL said all Head Office staff have already been trained, while a further 406 employees at other stations are expected to undergo training by the end of November 2026.

The corporation acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, SMART Zambia Institute and the Public Service Management Division in implementing the digital platform.