• Mozambique launches ThinkLab incubator to support digital startups
• Twelve firms in health, AI, transport, finance join first cycle
• Part of broader strategy for inclusive digital transformation by 2030
  
  

Mozambique's communications regulatory authority, INCM, has launched the ThinkLab, a new incubator designed to support local startups and entrepreneurs in the digital sector. The launch took place in Maputo and was attended by Communications and Digital Transformation Minister Américo Muchanga.

"A nation without innovation is a nation of dormant minds. ThinkLab is a laboratory for projecting digital solutions for the most urgent national challenges. It is also a collaborative platform where the private sector, academia, and the government plan and project the future we want, together," Muchanga said.

Twelve startups were selected for the first incubation cycle. They operate in various sectors, including health, transport, finance, IT, and AI. Through ThinkLab, the regulator aims to provide them with technical and regulatory support, resources, training, and mentorship. The initiative also facilitates connections with experts and investors. The goal is to ensure project viability, encourage access to funding, and build a collaborative ecosystem that brings together startups, businesses, universities, and regulators.

The INCM hopes the project will help drive digital transformation, a key priority for Mozambican authorities. To that end, the government launched the "Internet For All" initiative last March to democratize internet access by 2030. This effort is seen as "a fundamental pillar of the government's overall digital transformation strategy, creating an inclusive digital environment that will enable citizens, businesses, and public institutions to interact and innovate, thus contributing to the emergence of an accessible and inclusive digital economy."

According to pan-African investment firm Renew Capital, Mozambique's startup ecosystem is still in its early stages. However, the firm notes that the country's vast natural gas reserves, abundant mineral resources, and strategic geographical location make it a promising market to watch in Africa. The challenges mentioned include a regulatory framework still under development, inadequate infrastructure—particularly in internet connectivity—and a significant skills gap in technology professions.

Isaac K. Kassouwi