The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has a project promoting technology assessment (TA) in the energy and agricultural sectors in Africa.

In Zambia, following a comprehensive review of national development plans, goals, and the technological landscape, it has been decided that the focus of the TA project assessment will be on small-scale biogas. Despite widespread use in various developed and developing nations, the utilization of biogas remains limited in Zambia. Small-scale biogas presents a promising avenue for the country to align with its development targets while steering towards sustainability.

In December 2023, the Department of Technology and Science of the Ministry of Technology and Science, in collaboration with UNCTAD, organised a key stakeholder workshop. This collaborative effort aimed to foster a participatory and inclusive approach of the TA, gathering valuable perspectives from various stakeholders such as government representatives, regulatory bodies, academia, the private sector, and civil society.

Following the workshop, the collected data underwent thorough analysis. The insights derived from this analysis and the resulting policy recommendations have been incorporated into a comprehensive TA report, which also outlines the research carried out in the previous months. Additionally, a draft action plan is currently being formulated to delineate the measures and activities that stakeholders are expected to undertake over different time periods.

A crucial step in finalising this endeavour is to validate the findings and recommendations of the TA report and proposed action plan. Recognising the significance of stakeholder input in this validation process, the Ministry of Technology and Science, in collaboration with UNCTAD, is organizing a joint national validation workshop.

This workshop is designed to provide stakeholders with a platform to offer feedback on the TA report and action plan before they undergo final validation by the TA steering committee.