ZAMBIA: Churches in Zambia Join Hands with ZICTA to Champion Consumer Protection in the Digital Space
Church leaders during the stakeholders engagement meeting with ZICTA
Fr. Arthur Ntembula
Churches have made a collective commitment during an engagement meeting held at the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) Headquarters on May 14, 2025, organized by the Office of the Vice President through the Department of Religious Affairs and National Guidance.
The meeting was aimed at addressing the growing need for consumer protection in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
ZCCB Secretary General Fr. Francis Mukosa and the Director of Communications Fr. Arthur Ntembula participated in the meeting and highlighted the Church’s commitment to safeguarding its members and the wider community in the online sphere.
The forum also saw the presence of other church leaders, underscoring the collective concern for responsible digital engagement.
And ZICTA Consumer Protection Manager Edgar Mlauzi facilitated the meeting and emphasized the need for shared responsibility in maintaining a secure cyberspace.
“We are all invited to take care of the cyberspace. Do not be careless and ensure that you guard your security when engaging in online activities,” he cautioned.
Mr. Mlauzi outlined key rights of online consumers, including the right to privacy, quality of service, safety online, and consumer education, and further stressed the importance of formally registering complaints with ZICTA against any service provider in cases of grievances.
He issued a strong warning against the increase of scams, particularly money and investment schemes promising unrealistic returns.
“Many people in Zambia don’t learn, not even from others who have been scammed before. Some of these investments are too good to be true. Be careful,” the Consumer Protection Manager stressed.
Mr. Mlauzi further warned against clicking on suspicious links, the dangers of sharing explicit content online, saying this practice also undermines the moral values that the Office of Religious Affairs is actively promoting.
The discussions also highlighted the various online risks that consumers face, ranging from financial scams and emotional distress to reputation damage stemming from negative online interactions.
ZICTA further emphasized the importance of online security by recommending the use of strong passwords for all accounts and securing digital devices, even within marriages, to protect against theft.
ZICTA has since encouraged users to verify social media accounts with a blue tick and offer help in the application process
