CABINET APPROVES THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CYBER SECURITY BILL

CABINET APPROVES THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CYBER SECURITY BILL

Cabinet has approved in principle, the introduction of the Cyber Security Bill, 2024 and the Cyber Crimes Bill, 2024.

This is to repeal the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act Number two of 2021 and separate the Cyber Security and Cyber-Crimes Act of 2021 into two separate Bills.

Acting Chief Government Spokesperson, ELVIS NKANDU says the objectives of the Cyber Security Bill, 2024 are to establish the Zambia Cyber Security Agency, provide for the protection of critical information and critical information infrastructure among others.

Mr NKANDU says in the case of the Cyber Crimes Bill, 2024, the objectives of the Bill are to make provision for criminalising of illegal acts related to computer systems and information communication technologies, provide for the protection of persons against cyber-crimes and provide for child online protection.

He says Cabinet has realised that the current legal framework, the Cyber Security and Cyber-Crimes Act of 2021, is inadequate in providing comprehensive security in the cyber space, as a result of lack of dedicated institutions to administer the issues relating to cyber security contrary to international best practices.

Mr NKANDU says the decision was made during the 16th Cabinet Meeting held at State House.

Meanwhile, Mr NKANDU said  in order to enhance economic growth in the country, Cabinet has approved the declaration of the area along the Kafue Flats extending from Kafue to Itezhi Tezhi districts as a Beef Special Economic Zone.

He said this is in order to commercialise livestock production thereby raising productivity among livestock farmers in the area.

Mr NKANDU said cattle rearing along the Kafue flats have been practiced since time immemorial using traditional animal husbandry practices as opposed to modern business-like management practices.

He said that Cabinet is convinced that the proposed Beef Special Economic Zone will results in increased beef production, and attract investment in the areas, which will assist in accelerating industrialisation and contribute to economic growth, job creation
increased export receipts and generation of tax revenues.

And Mr NKANDU said Cabinet also approved the declaration of the proposed pieces of land as Agro Special Economic Zones (SEZs), in the areas that will be identified in Ngabwe,Mpongwe, Lufwanyama, Masaiti and Kafulafuta Districts in Central and Copperbelt Provinces.

The Agro-Special Economic Zones are expected to promote the economic fortunes of the Central and Copperbelt Provinces, by boosting dormant areas.

The Minister said the areas are anticipated to attract investments in crop production,
manufacturing and processing and hence become a hub for agricultural activities.

Mr NKANDU said that the initiative is also expected to contribute to overall food security, enhance tax revenue, expansion of the country’s export base and overall economic growth.

Meanwhile, Cabinet also agreed that the Government utilises the hybrid modality using both the electronic voucher system in 74 districts and the Direct Input supply in 42 District.

Mr. NKANDU said migration of the farmers to the e-voucher system started during the 2023-2024 farming season.

He said that the Cabinet has agreed that in the 2024-2025 farming season , the Government will migrate a further 57 districts and bring a total to 74 district onto the e-voucher platform.