Mozambique begins work on national AI strategy with UNESCO support

Mozambique has launched the development of a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, led by the National Institute of Information and Communication Technologies with technical support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The initiative was presented during the 3rd BFSI Mozambique Conference held in Maputo on 20 December 2025.

According to Lourino Chemane, chair of the Institute’s board, UNESCO’s involvement will help align the strategy with international principles on ethics, human rights, and responsible technology use. He noted that work on the strategy is already underway through a multisectoral and multidisciplinary committee that brings together representatives from government, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

Chemane emphasised that stakeholder engagement is intended to be embedded from the outset of the policy process, rather than limited to consultations after the strategy is finalised. The approach is presented as a way to strengthen public trust in AI-enabled digital solutions and ensure that national priorities and social considerations are reflected in policy design.

The AI strategy is part of a wider digital transformation agenda being developed by the Institute, which also covers digital government, open data, cybersecurity, interoperability, and e-commerce. The agenda is aligned with Mozambique’s regional and international commitments, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN sustainable development goals.

Speaking at the conference, Chemane said that a clear legal and regulatory framework for digital technologies could support small and medium-sized enterprises, attract investment, and help ensure that Mozambique’s digital transition is inclusive and oriented toward the public interest.