MICROSOFT Corporation vice-president Ali Faramawy has implored African countries to continue investing in advanced Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to accelerate economic development.

Microsoft is an American multi-national corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services related to computing through various divisions.

Mr Faramawy said in Lusaka yesterday that several African countries still lagged behind in ICT development. He said countries needed to continue investing in advanced ICT for sustainable development.

Mr Faramawy was presenting a lecture at the University of Zambia (UNZA) in Lusaka yesterday.

He said ICT could play a significant role in helping African nations with advanced global technologies. "Africa has many investment opportunities and ICT is one area some countries should invest in to help increase development growth because most countries still lag behind in this area," he said.

Mr Faramawy urged the Government to consider allocating more resources to the promotion of ICT in sectors such as education and health that were essential for human development.

He said his firm would assist UNZA with advanced technological connections like internet.

This was after several students complained during the lecture that the institution had poor connectivity. Education, Vocational Training, and Early Education Deputy Minister, David Mabumba hailed Mr Faramawy for finding time to come to Zambia. Mr Mabumba assured UNZA students and management that the Government would address many challenges the institution was facing such as poor water supply and accommodation.

"We appreciate such partnerships with Microsoft and I want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to address many challenges that our institution is faced with," he said.

Mr Mabumba said the need to invest in ICT was imperative and implored Microsoft to continue rendering assistance.

UNZA deputy vice-chancellor, Wilson Mwenya commended Microsoft for its initiative and appealed for continued support towards aiding the highest learning institution's ICT sector.