• Mozambique’s parliament adopted new cybersecurity and cybercrime laws to strengthen legal protection of digital space.

• The legislation introduces enforcement tools, criminal provisions, and international cooperation mechanisms.

• Mozambique ranks mid-tier in global cybersecurity readiness, highlighting both progress and remaining gaps.

The Assembly of the Republic adopted laws on cybersecurity and cybercrime on Thursday, April 16. The move reflects the government’s push to secure digital infrastructure and regulate online activities more effectively.

In a statement, the National Institute of ICT (INTIC) said the cybersecurity law aims to equip the state with effective tools to address the challenges of the information society. The law will ensure the protection of the state, institutions, and citizens, while also defending information systems and critical infrastructure.

Furthermore, the law will help prevent risks, coordinate responses to cyber incidents, and improve the resilience of public and private entities that rely on digital platforms.

Meanwhile, the cybercrime law establishes substantive and procedural criminal provisions, including mechanisms for international cooperation. The law regulates investigations into cyber offenses and governs the collection of electronic evidence.

The legislation applies to all individuals and legal entities, whether public or private, that use data communication networks and information systems.

“The adoption of these two texts marks a decisive step in consolidating the country’s digital transformation and strengthens the confidence of citizens, businesses, and institutions in the use of information and communication technologies,” INTIC said in a statement published on Facebook.

The adoption follows a recent partnership announcement with the European Union aimed at developing national cybersecurity capabilities. Mozambique has also strengthened cooperation with the United States and Togo in the same area.

In parallel, the country participates in several international instruments, including the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, the African Union Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection (Malabo, 2014), and the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime (2001).

Authorities view these efforts as part of a broader strategy to position ICT as a driver of socio-economic development. The government is currently drafting a national digital transformation strategy.

However, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said countries must strengthen cybersecurity levels to fully leverage ICT opportunities.

Mozambique currently ranks at the third level out of five in the ITU’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, with a score of 66.05 out of 100. The ITU considers the country’s performance relatively strong in organizational measures and cooperation. Nevertheless, challenges persist in legal, technical, and capacity-building areas.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum