Vodacom Plans Bigger Investments in Mozambique’s 5G, AI and Fiber Networks
July 24th 2026
- Vodacom plans to increase investments in Mozambique by expanding 5G, fiber-optic and satellite connectivity while developing artificial intelligence and data center projects.
- The company did not disclose the size or timeline of the planned investments following talks with Mozambican President Daniel Chapo.
- The expansion reflects Vodacom’s broader strategy to diversify beyond traditional telecom services and strengthen its position as a technology company.
South African telecommunications group Vodacom plans to increase its investments in Mozambique. The operator aims to strengthen its telecommunications infrastructure to improve service quality while introducing new digital solutions.
Vodacom Chief Executive Officer Shameel Joosub announced the plan on Wednesday, July 22, after meeting Mozambican President Daniel Chapo. Neither Vodacom nor the Mozambican government disclosed the value of the planned investments or the implementation timeline.
“Mozambique’s digital journey holds significant potential. As a long-term investor in the country, Vodacom remains committed to working with government, businesses and communities to create opportunities, empower people and support sustainable economic development,” Shameel Joosub said in a LinkedIn post.
According to the Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM), Vodacom plans to expand its fiber-optic networks for residential and business customers, strengthen its 5G mobile coverage and develop hybrid connectivity solutions combining fiber and satellite technologies. In addition, the company highlighted projects involving artificial intelligence (AI) and the construction of a data center.
Vodacom announced the investment plans as demand for high-speed connectivity continues to grow across Mozambique. The company views 5G, fiber-optic infrastructure and satellite technologies as essential tools for delivering faster internet speeds, reducing network latency and increasing overall network capacity. Moreover, satellite connectivity can extend internet access to rural and remote areas that remain difficult to serve through conventional terrestrial infrastructure.
At the same time, changing consumer behavior is fueling demand for a wider range of digital services. Users are increasingly adopting video and music streaming, online gaming, cloud computing, e-commerce platforms, social media, mobile applications, digital financial services, mobile payments, telemedicine, online learning, collaborative workplace tools and digital solutions for businesses and public institutions.
Across Africa, telecom operators, including Vodacom, are seeking to strengthen their role as connectivity providers while expanding into higher-value digital services. The strategy reflects a broader transition from the traditional telecommunications operator (Telco) model to a technology company (TechCo) model. Operators are pursuing this shift to diversify revenue streams as legacy voice and SMS services continue to decline.
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