As part of its National Data Governance Policy and Strategy, the Government announced on Friday, August 1, that it intends to use digital information as a driver of economic and social development, recognizing data as the “oil of the 21st century”, with the potential to generate business opportunities.
“The data we produce daily is a strategic resource for the development of our country. Turning data into money and knowledge into progress must be our collective mission,” said Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation, Américo Muchanga.
According to the minister, it’s important to show that data — like other resources such as oil and gas, forest resources, and blue economy assets — can make a significant contribution to the national economy. Muchanga recalled that the Government has “made it a top priority to develop a National Data Governance Policy and Strategy, which will help overcome challenges related to data governance and position Mozambique as a country capable of using data as a catalyst for economic and social development.”
“The policy aims to eliminate obstacles such as the lack of interoperability between state systems, the shortage of qualified professionals, and low levels of digital literacy. The government recognizes data as the ‘oil of the 21st century’ and argues that proper data management can drive technological innovation, improve public policy-making, and boost the economy,” he added.
According to the minister, “good data governance will enable Mozambique to improve efficiency and transparency in public administration, avoid duplicated efforts and wasted resources, and also support strategic decision-making based on credible and up-to-date information. It will encourage innovation in the private sector and create new business and employment opportunities.”
He also stressed the need to ensure the protection of personal data, respecting privacy and fundamental citizens’ rights, and laying solid foundations for the development of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
“At the heart of the proposal is also the drafting of a new Personal Data Protection Law, developed with technical support from the European Union, African Union, Council of Europe, Brazil, and other international organizations,” he concluded.
The expression “oil of the 21st century” is used to highlight the strategic value and growing importance of data today, comparing it to oil, which was the most valuable resource of the 20th century. The analogy emphasizes the potential of data to generate wealth, knowledge, and power, just as oil drove economic and industrial growth in the last century.
Source: Diário Económico
