Mozambique’s three current mobile network operators will begin offering free emergency lines starting in January 2026 to support the prevention and response to crime, road accidents, and other social issues.
The initiative is part of the implementation of the Public Security Management System (SIGESP) by the Ministry of the Interior and follows a memorandum of understanding signed in Maputo between the government and operators Tmcel, Vodacom, and Movitel.
“The lines will allow citizens, in crisis situations, to access emergency services quickly, efficiently, at no cost and without barriers—regardless of their location or mobile operator,” said Victor Canhemba Júnior, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, in a statement.
He noted that the lines are expected to play a significant role in mitigating the harmful effects of accidents, violence, or natural disasters in Mozambique.
“In emergencies, every second counts—whether it’s an accident, an act of violence, or a natural disaster. Calls are the first link between a person in danger and the institutions responsible for helping them,” he emphasized.
The Ministry of the Interior recently reported that 205 kidnapping cases were recorded between 2011 and March this year, resulting in 302 arrests. However, it acknowledged that challenges remain in curbing such crimes. Government data shows that 2013 had the highest number of kidnappings (37 cases), followed by 2014 (20), 2015 (17), 2020 (16), and both 2016 and 2024 (15 each).
Since 2011, Mozambique has faced a wave of kidnappings, mainly targeting businesspeople and their families, particularly those of Asian descent, who dominate urban commerce in provincial capitals.
Over the past 12 years, more than 150 businesspeople have been kidnapped in Mozambique, and around 100 have left the country due to fear, according to figures shared by the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) in July last year.
The three mobile operators also suffered significant losses in 2023 due to telecom fraud, which amounted to 63 million meticais (about USD 985,000). The most affected provinces were Nampula, Maputo City, and Maputo Province, which together accounted for 87% of recorded cases.
Common scams include the use of SIM boxes—devices that disguise international calls as local ones, reducing costs for the user but causing severe revenue losses for operators. Another growing crime is SIM swap fraud, in which criminals fraudulently replace a user’s SIM card to gain access to their personal data and bank accounts.
The report also revealed that more than 200,000 SIM cards were registered fraudulently, leading to additional losses of over 6 million meticais for mobile operators.
Source: Diário Económico
