• Mozambique launches World Bank-funded tender to expand telecom access in rural areas

• Project targets 90% high-speed coverage in 300 underserved communities

• Effort supports national strategy to boost internet uptake and digital inclusion

The Mozambican government is working to expand internet access in a country where the digital divide remains wide.

It launched a public tender last week, open until Feb. 25, to expand and upgrade telecommunications coverage and access to services in 300 peri-urban and rural communities.

Authorities said the initiative is funded by the World Bank and will be implemented under the Mozambique Digital Acceleration Project (PADIM). The project aims to narrow the digital divide by extending high-speed connectivity and voice services to underserved areas.

The Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation said the project is expected to ensure that about 90% of the population in each targeted community has access to a high-speed telecom signal. It added that the rollout should improve access to information, education and other digital services, while allowing customers to choose between operators through infrastructure sharing.

Part of a national digital strategy

The initiative follows the “Internet Para Todos” programme launched in March 2025 to broaden access to the internet as part of the country’s digital transformation strategy. The government ultimately aims for mobile penetration of 80% and coverage of 95% of the national territory.

Under the plan, it is targeting speeds of 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps for 5G, 10 to 100 Mbps for 4G, and 0.1 to 10 Mbps for 3G. To reach these targets, the government plans to open the market to low-earth orbit satellite operators and tower companies, and to extend the national fibre-optic network.

In July 2025, the communications regulator INCM launched a rural connectivity pilot project using satellite antennas. The equipment provides coverage of up to 50 km and can serve as many as 15,000 people. INCM also signed a partnership to use geospatial data to improve connectivity planning, including by identifying underserved areas, assessing investment needs and guiding infrastructure development.

Adoption remains a hurdle

These efforts come as International Telecommunication Union (ITU) data show that 2G networks covered 88% of the population, estimated at 35.6 million in 2024. Coverage stands at 86% for 3G, 84% for 4G and 10% for 5G. The ITU estimates internet penetration at 19.8%, compared with 78.2% for mobile telephony.

Expanding coverage can bring more people online, but uptake is not guaranteed. Key barriers include access to compatible devices such as smartphones, tablets and computers, affordability, basic digital skills, and whether users see value in available services and content.

To address these issues, the government held talks in July 2025 with Chinese technology company Huawei about building a local mobile phone factory. The devices would be designed for rural users, though their specifications and the project timeline have not been disclosed.

Isaac K. Kassouwi