Mozambique Turns Telecom Fines Into a Tool for Digital Inclusion
August 27th 2026
- Mozambique can now convert telecom regulatory fines into universal service obligations under a new licensing framework that took effect in July 2026.
- The measure aims to expand telecom access in underserved areas, particularly where operators face no direct coverage obligations.
- Nearly 80% of Mozambicans did not use the Internet in 2024, while rural telecom access remained far below urban levels, highlighting the scale of the digital divide.
Mozambique can now convert regulatory fines imposed on telecommunications operators into universal service obligations. The measure should give authorities an additional tool to expand telecom access across the country.
The new Regulation on the Granting of Telecommunications Licences and Scarce Resources introduced the mechanism. The government adopted the regulation by decree in July 2026, and the framework has now taken effect, according to a statement that the National Communications Regulatory Authority (INCM) issued on Friday, Aug. 21.
A new funding source for universal service
The mechanism can provide additional funding for universal service, which operators already support through existing contributions. Under certain circumstances, the regulator can convert a fine into a universal service obligation and allocate the resulting amount to projects that improve access to telecommunications services.
Regulatory sanctions generally apply when operators breach obligations under their licences, including requirements on network coverage and service quality. These obligations specify the areas where operators must deploy infrastructure and provide services. Operators can therefore face fines when they fail to meet those requirements.
Universal service areas cover territories where operators do not necessarily face direct deployment obligations but where authorities still need to ensure access to telecommunications services. Universal service mechanisms can finance that coverage, including through operator contributions. Converting fines into universal service obligations could therefore increase the resources available to underserved areas.
A new push to narrow the digital divide
The initiative comes as the government steps up efforts to expand digital inclusion. Communications and Digital Transformation Minister Américo Muchanga recently said his ministry plans to connect 300 localities over the coming years.
In April 2026, the INCM launched a national roaming pilot that allows consumers to use any operator’s network to access telecommunications services.
The Mozambican government also formalized the “Internet Para Todos” initiative in March 2025 to broaden Internet access by 2030. The government ultimately aims to achieve 80% mobile penetration and 95% national territorial coverage, while targeting 99% network availability.
These initiatives address a highly uneven digital landscape. According to the INCM, telecom access reaches 80% in urban areas but only 20% in rural areas. ITU data also show that 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks covered 88%, 86%, 84% and 10% of the population, respectively, in 2024. The World Bank estimates that 61% of Mozambicans lived in rural areas that year.
However, network expansion alone has not translated into widespread Internet use. The ITU estimates that 79.9% of the population owned a mobile phone in 2024, while Internet penetration stood at only 20.5%. The gap between network coverage, mobile-phone ownership and Internet use shows that infrastructure expansion alone cannot guarantee effective access to digital services.
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