As we experiment in the world of work with new algorithmic systems, a question emerges: could this be the missing tool for Mozambique to capitalize on its demographic dividend? Even if it is, infrastructure is lacking and decisive action is needed.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the world of work at an unprecedented pace, and Mozambique is no exception. Tshilidzi Marwala, professor and rector of the United Nations University (UNU-WIDER) and Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, argues that technologies simulating human intelligence are not just a technological leap but a true structural shift in the world of work and society. “We are building a new phase of agility within ourselves. These systems are not only human-like, but can act independently with data,” he states.
For the academic, who visited Mozambique at the end of last year, task automation and the growing use of computers have been ongoing since the 1980s. Now, with AI, changes are faster and affect how people think, produce, and communicate. As he explains, “AI can generate productivity and creativity, but it will only be beneficial if aligned with human values.”
Marwala emphasizes that in low-income contexts, like Mozambique, where informal and manual work still predominates, AI will not directly replace jobs but could transform the way people learn, produce, and participate in the economy.
Education and Languages: Crucial Areas
In the education sector, he stresses that AI can be used to personalize learning, adapt content to students’ pace, and reduce inequalities in access to knowledge. In the health sector, it can assist with diagnosis, monitoring, and disease management. “But none of this will be possible without quality data, infrastructure, and digital literacy,” he warns.
Another fundamental issue is African languages. Marwala highlights that “one of the major questions of our time is building language models for languages with limited digital presence.” Without this, he cautions, AI could exclude local cultures and identities, exacerbating existing imbalances.
With around 400,000 young people entering the labor market every year, Mozambique faces one of the biggest demographic challenges in Southern Africa.
Marwala adds that AI will only fulfill its true potential if people are able to adapt, trained for jobs that do not yet exist, and for technologies that are yet to come. “We need to prepare young people for a reality that has not yet been written,” he declared.
The professor suggests that AI could be a bridge to the future—or a risk if left to chance. The difference will lie in training, public policy, digital inclusion, and local innovation capacity.
Another Challenge for Mozambique
What can Mozambique do? “Turning the potential of a generation into productive force is both a challenge and an opportunity for national growth and development,” says Mozambique’s Minister of Planning and Development, Salim Valá, in light of the advent of technologies simulating human intelligence. Over 60% of Mozambicans “are under 25 years old, and around 400,000 young people enter the labor market every year. This pressures the economic system, but also represents an opportunity for expansion,” the minister asserts.
Valá highlighted ongoing government initiatives—such as those presented at the “Inclusive Growth in Mozambique” symposium in November in Maputo alongside Tshilidzi Marwala—including strengthening technical and vocational training programs, supporting youth entrepreneurship, and professional internships. At the same time, mechanisms are being introduced to monitor labor market dynamics: “Every metical invested in this fund is an investment in the country’s productive future,” he said, referring to the Local Economic Development Fund (FDEL).
The Major Demographic Challenge
With around 400,000 young people entering the labor market annually, Mozambique faces one of the region’s largest demographic challenges. This continuous influx exerts considerable pressure on the economy, but also represents a transformative opportunity, especially if AI is integrated strategically and inclusively.
“We want a country where young people do not wait for opportunities, but create them—a nation where all young people can work, innovate, and thrive,” Valá notes. To achieve this, he calls for cooperation between the State, the private sector, academia, and civil society. The demographic challenge requires a multi-faceted response. The minister emphasized that the FDEL now plays a central role. “Every metical invested in FDEL is a direct investment in the productive capacity of Mozambican youth.”
Investing in AI Could Redefine the Labor Market
Can Sever, economist at the African Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), believes Mozambique needs to create around half a million jobs annually until 2030 to meet the needs of its growing youth population. He warns that Sub-Saharan Africa continues to struggle to generate enough employment, as regional economic growth “is less employment-intensive” than elsewhere in the world.
This scenario reflects a challenge widely documented by international institutions: the region has one of the youngest populations globally, and workforce growth far outpaces the capacity of the formal market to absorb it. In Mozambique, demographic transition places increasing pressure on sectors with low productivity and high informality, limiting the creation of stable jobs capable of supporting household incomes.
Economic observers highlight that transforming this potential into real opportunities requires accelerating reforms that foster a more dynamic business environment, expanding critical infrastructure—particularly energy and transport—and encouraging investment in sectors with higher labor absorption capacity. Economic diversification, development of agricultural and industrial value chains, and improved access to education and vocational training are frequently cited as key elements for increasing productivity and opening space for new formal employment.
Text by Germano Ndlovo • Photo: D.R.
