Maputo, June 22, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo pledged on Monday to roll out fifth-generation (5G) mobile network technology in provincial capitals, tourist destinations and special economic zones by 2027, with a view to attracting domestic and foreign investment.
“From this year until 2027, we plan to make this technology available in all provincial capitals, special economic zones and the country’s main tourist destinations, subsequently expanding its coverage to other densely populated areas and, by 2030, improving broadband access in all districts and administrative centres across our country,” said the Mozambican Head of State.
The president of Mozambique was speaking at the opening of the 5th National Communications Conference, organised by the Mozambican Communications Regulatory Authority (INCM), which is taking place today and on Tuesday in Maputo, where he stated that the allocation of the radio spectrum for the roll-out of 5G technology constitutes a strategic step in the modernisation of communications in Mozambique, following the auction in April in which the three Mozambican mobile operators – the state-owned Tmcel, Vodacom Mozambique and Movitel – competed to roll out this mobile network.
“More than just a technological advancement, 5G represents an opportunity to accelerate digital inclusion and attract domestic and foreign investment, modernise services and create opportunities for citizens and the national economy,” said Chapo.
The Mozambican President said that the government has been taking concrete steps to bring about digital transformation, including the creation of institutions and appropriate legislation, noting that these instruments and infrastructure will protect citizens and drive the country forward in this sector.
“This is the true purpose of our digital inclusion agenda: to ensure that the benefits of digital transformation reach all Mozambicans, wherever they may be in our country. These advances would not be possible without institutions capable of anticipating technological changes, modernising regulation and creating the right conditions for investment; hence our focus, since last year, on passing the necessary legal instruments to this end,” said the President.
In this regard, Daniel Chapo argued that digital transformation must create opportunities for equality for all citizens, regardless of their geographical location, noting that the country is making progress in expanding internet access to achieve universal coverage by 2030, thereby accelerating digitalisation.
“We want a student in Mueda to have the same opportunities for access to knowledge as a student in Maputo. We want a student in Mavago to have the same opportunities as a student in Matola, and a female farmer in Gurúè to be able to access market information and market her produce more effectively,” he said.
The president also said that digital communication now plays a central role in the functioning of the national economy, in the provision of public services and in the state’s ability to respond to crises, with Mozambique's government pledging to keep pace with these changes, as this is an increasingly important sector for nations.
At the opening of the event, Mozambique and Angola signed two memoranda of understanding to develop and promote bilateral cooperation in communications, information and communication technologies, and meteorology, with the agreements also paving the way for cooperation in the space sector.
Chapo also stated that the Nacala-Lobito submarine cable project, linking the two countries, is currently in the design phase – “a strategic piece of infrastructure that will increase international internet connectivity, reduce communication costs and position Mozambique as a key digital corridor in the SADC region” – arguing that the agreements should improve the lives of the people of both nations.
PME/ADB // ADB.
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