In a bold step toward bridging the digital divide, the Mozambican government has unveiled the “Internet for All” initiative, aimed at democratizing internet access across the nation by 2030.
This ambitious project is a key component of the government’s digital transformation strategy, designed to propel Mozambique toward a more connected and inclusive future.
“This program constitutes a fundamental pillar of the government’s overall digital transformation strategy, creating an inclusive digital environment that will enable citizens, businesses, and public institutions to interact and innovate,” said a representative from the Communications Regulatory Authority (INCM).
The initiative aims to foster an accessible digital economy by ensuring equitable access to essential services, such as public administration, education, health, and economic opportunities, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for the population.
The government’s plan includes ambitious targets, seeking to achieve a mobile penetration rate of 80% and ensure 95% coverage across the national territory, with network availability expected to reach 99%. In terms of performance, officials are aiming for connection speeds ranging from 100Mbps to 1Gbps for 5G networks, 10Mbps to 100Mbps for 4G, and 0.1Mbps to 10 Mbps for 3G. To facilitate these advancements, Mozambique plans to welcome low-orbit satellite operators and telecom tower companies, alongside significant expansion of the fibre optic network.
Current statistics from the International Telecommunications Union show that while the 2G network covered 87% of Mozambique’s estimated population of 32.6 million in 2022, the coverage drops significantly for newer technologies: 3G at 85%, 4G at 60%, and just 5% for 5G. Despite this apparent network coverage, the internet penetration rate remains low, with estimates indicating only 21.2% of the population is connected, compared to 22.3% for mobile telephony.
As part of its initiative, authorities are planning digital literacy and technology training programs to enhance the capabilities of local communities and promote the effective use of digital services.
