Smart City Surveillance in Zambia

This report documents the developments in the roll-out of surveillance of public spaces across Zambia using digital technologies as part of the safe city initiatives at an initial cost of US$210 million. Starting with a historic overview of surveillance in Zambia, the report then outlines advancements in the deployment of surveillance using ‘digital technologies’. This report provides the most comprehensive documentation to date of Zambia’s safe city project, including its timeline, main features, key actors, the companies that supply the technologies, and civil society organisations critiquing it. In addition, the report details the volume and type of technology used, project spending, prevailing legal and regulatory environment, and the impact on citizens’ rights. The report concludes by making recommendations arising out of this analysis on how Zambia can deploy the safe city project in a safe and rights-respecting manner. The key research question that this report explores is what interests and motivations explain the huge investment in the Zambia safe city initiative and whether the project contributes to enhancing public safety and reducing crime.