Dr. Kombe Kaponda is an award-winning researcher, recognized in 2024 by the ICT Association of Zambia for his work in emerging technologies and fintech. With over 20 years of experience in IT and critical infrastructure, he specializes in digital transformation, financial technologies, cybersecurity, and project management. A central banker by career and payments technology specialist by profession, he currently leads the implementation of the Bank’s 2024–2027 IT strategy, driving its digital transformation and modernization, and heads the team researching the feasibility of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in Zambia.