Bridging the Digital Skills Gap of Records Officers in Zambia in Line with the eGovernance Reform: Needs Assessment and Developing Professional Training Programme

Zambia is implementing the smart Zambia vision to be delivered by 2030. A vital part of it is the large-scale digital transformation of the public service sector undertaking digitalisation of records management by deploying electronic records and document management systems (ERDMS). However, a recent study by Bwalya and Kakandelwa (2023) shows that records officers in Zambia lack digital skills for managing e-records.

This project, built as a new collaboration between the Computer and Information Sciences Department (University of Strathclyde) and the Department of Library and Information Science (University of Zambia) and supported by governmental agencies such as the National Archives of Zambia, aims to bridge this digital skills gap.

The project will combine an assessment of the training needs related to digital skills of the records officers in government/local authorities with developing an appropriate training programme for the records management sector in Zambia. It also aims to promote open government data, which is still in its infancy in Zambia.

Besides the research outcome of mapping the digital skills landscape in records management in Zambia, the project will deliver long-term societal impact on improved eGovernment practices. It can serve as a blueprint for other sub-Saharan countries striving for digital transformation.

We will explore the needs in improving the skills of public officers in Zambia in the digital aspects of their profession and will offer a suitable training programme to bridge the existing gaps. The project is supported by the International Science Partnerships Fund / SFC.