Maputo, Aug. 1, 2025 (Lusa) - The Government of Mozambique announced on Friday that it intends to use digital information as a “driver for economic and social development” through the National Data Governance Policy and Strategy, in order to take advantage of the “oil of the 21st century”.
“This is a moment that calls us all. The data we produce every day is a strategic resource for the development of our country,” said Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation Américo Muchanga during a multisectoral meeting in Maputo on data governance in Mozambique.
“Transforming data into money and knowledge into progress must be our collective mission, demonstrating that this resource, data, can, like other resources such as oil and gas, forest resources, and the blue economy, make a significant contribution to our economy, especially now that we have defined economic independence as a priority for this cycle of governance,” he added.
Muchanga recalled that the Government had ‘defined as an unavoidable priority’ the development of the National Data Governance Policy and Strategy, which is currently being drafted and which “will enable us to overcome the challenges associated with data governance and position Mozambique as a country capable of using data as an engine for its economic and social development”.
The future policy aims to remove obstacles such as the lack of interoperability between state systems, the shortage of qualified staff and the lack of digital literacy.
The government also recognises data as “the oil of the 21st century” and argues that its good management can leverage technological innovations, improve public policy formulation and boost the economy.
For the minister, “good data governance” will enable Mozambique to “improve the efficiency and transparency of public administration, avoiding duplication of efforts and waste of resources”, but also supporting “strategic decision-making based on credible and up-to-date information”, fostering innovation in the private sector and creating new business and employment opportunities.
On the other hand, it must also ensure the protection of personal data, “respecting the privacy and fundamental rights of citizens” and establishing “solid foundations for the development of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies”.
According to the minister, Mozambique faces obstacles in the fragmentation of digital systems, the lack of interoperability between state institutions, the shortage of specialised staff and the poor digital literacy of the public.
Muchanga added that with a structured approach, the current scenario could be reversed and real impacts could be made on public policy formulation and administrative transparency.
At the heart of the proposal is also the drafting of a new Personal Data Protection Law, developed with technical support from the European Union, the African Union, the Council of Europe, Brazil and other international organisations.
Prime Minister Benvinda Levi said on 28 March that Mozambique has 17 data centres, with the government promising to review legislation on cyber security.
On that occasion, she highlighted the importance of these centres, as they are “fundamental to the activities of the public and private sectors” due to the “centralisation and secure storage of massive volumes of data”.
PVJ/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
