Mozambique's government presented its key priorities for accelerating the country's digital transformation on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar, with emphasis on broadband internet expansion, 5G technology deployment, artificial intelligence adoption, and the strengthening of cybersecurity and data protection mechanisms. The initiative aims to modernise the country's technological infrastructure and broaden access to digital services, which the government regards as strategic to national economic development.

According to the Mozambique News Agency (AIM), the priorities were outlined by Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation Américo Muchanga at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026, which runs from 9 to 27 November and brings together government representatives and international experts to discuss the future of telecommunications and the digital economy.

Muchanga stressed the need to build an inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital society grounded in technological innovation and the use of information and communication technologies as instruments of economic growth.

Among the government's principal commitments is the expansion of broadband internet coverage, which it considers essential to reducing inequalities in access to digital technologies and enabling more citizens, businesses, and public institutions to benefit from electronic services. The rollout of 5G technology is another stated priority, with the government seeking to lay the groundwork for faster and more efficient communications networks capable of supporting the modernisation of public services, business innovation, and the growth of digitally driven economic activity.

On artificial intelligence, Muchanga highlighted the potential of technological tools and Big Data analytics in disaster prevention and management. The initiative is intended to strengthen Mozambique's capacity to anticipate and respond to natural phenomena such as cyclones, floods, and droughts, which regularly affect the country and cause significant economic losses and infrastructure damage.

The government also regards the reinforcement of cybersecurity and data protection mechanisms as a priority, in a context of growing use of electronic platforms by public institutions, businesses, and citizens. These measures aim to improve the security of communications and foster a higher-trust environment for the use of digital services, including e-commerce solutions, digital payments, and information systems.

The modernisation of digital infrastructure is viewed as one of the factors required to improve the competitiveness of the Mozambican economy, facilitate service delivery, and create opportunities for innovation and investment in the technology sector. On the sidelines of the conference, Muchanga held bilateral meetings with representatives from Saudi Arabia and Estonia, aimed at deepening international cooperation in communications and digital transformation.

Those contacts sought to identify opportunities for technological collaboration and to strengthen Mozambique's institutional relationships with countries pursuing digital modernisation agendas. Mozambique's participation in the conference is part of the government's broader efforts to accelerate the digital transformation of the economy, at a time when access to information technologies is increasingly important for productivity, business competitiveness, and the modernisation of public administration.

The Plenipotentiary Conference is the ITU's supreme decision-making body — the United Nations' specialised agency for digital technologies — convening every four years to set the organisation's strategic and financial direction. The 2026 edition brings together delegations from all 194 ITU member states, with discussions focused on connectivity expansion, digital infrastructure resilience, artificial intelligence, and international cooperation.

For Mozambique, the gathering represents an opportunity to present national priorities and deepen contacts with potential technology partners, although no investment figures or specific implementation timelines for the measures outlined were announced during the minister's address.