Mozambique moves to govern AI as more African states build laws

What the report says

The Independent Uganda, citing a Birda Agency special report, says Mozambique has prepared a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy as it seeks to create legal, institutional and regulatory rules for AI use in government and business. Bank of Mozambique Governor Rogério Zandamela told the central bank’s 17th Scientific Conference on June 16 that the aim was not to limit innovation, but to set safeguards for safe, transparent and responsible use, including consumer protection. He said AI is already being used in Mozambique’s financial sector, including payments, fraud detection and digital customer services.

The report says public consultations on the draft strategy have recently ended, with the National Institute of Information and Communication Technologies indicating that the document is in its final drafting stage. INTIC chairman Lourino Chemane presented the strategy at an International Telecommunication Union AI for Good workshop in Kenya in May 2026. After technical review and input from public agencies, academia, civil society and private companies, the plan is expected to go to the Council of Ministers.

A key proposal is the creation of AI regulatory sandboxes, where developers and regulators can test systems under supervision before wider rollout. The framework covers areas such as cybersecurity, data systems, accountability and oversight, and is linked to Mozambique’s broader digital agenda, including recent cybercrime, cybersecurity, data centre and cloud computing regulations.

The article places Mozambique’s move within a wider African trend. It notes AI governance efforts in countries including Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania, as governments try to support innovation while addressing risks around data protection, institutional capacity and public accountability.