By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
Data governance, digital
trust and the strategic use of technology have been identified as key factors
in strengthening business competitiveness and supporting Mozambique’s economic
transformation.
The issues were highlighted
during the second edition of the FUNDEC Economic Outlook held in Maputo under
the theme “Business Competitiveness for the Economic Transformation of
Mozambique.” The event brought together stakeholders to examine challenges and
opportunities facing the country’s business sector and was opened by Minister
of Communications and Digital Transformation, Prof. Dr. Américo Muchanga.
Speaking at the event,
Muchanga said Mozambique’s challenge is to use technology, data and
intelligence to translate the country’s economic potential into increased
productivity, competitiveness, investment and employment, while improving
citizens’ living conditions.
He said the digital
transformation of the business sector should go beyond simply digitising
companies. According to the minister, businesses need an enabling environment
in which they can be established, grow, innovate, protect themselves and
compete digitally in Mozambique, the Southern African Development Community
(SADC), Africa and international markets.
During a session on the
Mozambique Business Competitiveness Index, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the National Institute of Information and Communication
Technologies (INTIC), Prof. Dr. Eng. Lourino Chemane, stressed the importance
of putting data and digital technologies at the service of economic activity.
Participants also
highlighted the need to assess digital regulation based on its practical impact
on businesses. Digital certification, for example, can reduce the time and
costs associated with signing and validating documents, while regulation of
digital platforms can strengthen market trust and predictability.
Cybersecurity was also
identified as an important component of business competitiveness, particularly
in protecting business continuity and maintaining customer confidence.
The availability of adequate
data-centre and cloud-computing infrastructure was further highlighted as
necessary for companies seeking to adopt technological solutions in a scalable
and efficient manner.
Mozambique’s National Data
Governance Policy and Strategy, currently under preparation, is expected to
help establish a regulatory and institutional framework for using data to
support innovation, competitiveness, monetisation and economic transformation.
The framework is also
expected to support the development of new digital services, advanced analytics
and data-driven business models, while improving the capacity of economic
actors to make informed decisions.
