Implementing Mozambique's regulatory framework and guiding instruments for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) requires coordinated action among the state, the private sector, professionals, and citizens. That was the position put forward by specialists from the National Institute of Information and Communication Technologies (INTIC) during a panel held on the sidelines of the 61st edition of the Maputo International Trade Fair (FACIM).
Addressing the challenges associated with ICT legislation, Edson Psico, head of INTIC's Legal Department, stressed that the existence of laws and regulations is only the starting point — ensuring that the necessary resources and capabilities are in place to produce tangible results in citizens' lives is equally critical.
According to Psico, applying the legal framework requires financial, technological, and human resources, as well as the involvement of different sectors of society. Among the key challenges are the enforcement of data protection rules, responses to security incidents, and supervisory capacity.
Psico also addressed the question of digital sovereignty, in particular Mozambique's dependence on external technological resources. In his view, the country needs to create the conditions to increase its capacity to control and manage its strategic digital resources and activities.
'We have, at least now, a foundation on which institutions — both public and private — will be guided jointly,' he said, arguing that this foundation could help Mozambique advance towards digital sovereignty.
From the perspective of INTIC's Legal Department head, one priority must be ensuring that citizens, professionals, and businesses are aware of the existing regulation and are in a position to comply with it. Psico said implementation of the legal framework requires financial, technological, and human resources, as well as broader sectoral engagement. To that end, he considers it essential to facilitate access to technological and financial resources and to promote greater coordination among the various sectors.
Data protection and management was another central theme of the discussion. According to Psico, data must be treated as a strategic asset, making clear rules necessary regarding how data is processed and under what circumstances it may be transferred outside the country.
He also linked this issue to the advance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In his view, Mozambique's capacity to produce, organise, and use domestic data will be decisive in developing technological solutions better suited to local conditions.
Vitalina Nhavene, INTIC's Digital Certification Systems Security consultant, addressed the process of registering and licensing digital platforms and intermediary providers of digital services.
According to Nhavene, entities that provide digital services to Mozambican citizens — including representatives of foreign digital systems or services operating on national territory — must register with INTIC.
The objective is to ensure that entities forming part of the Mozambican digital ecosystem are properly identified and registered, creating mechanisms to protect users and facilitate accountability in the event of problems.
In the licensing process, entities must submit company documentation, information about the services they offer, details of their representatives, and the locations where data is stored. This information will allow INTIC to develop a clearer picture of the services operating in the country and subsequently strengthen security and compliance mechanisms.
Held under the theme 'Digital and Energy Transformation Towards a Sustainable Economy', the 61st edition of FACIM brings together companies, investors, institutions, and partners from various sectors. The fair serves as a platform for promoting investment opportunities, business, and cooperation between national and international companies.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=536033
