On 7 April 2026, the Municipality of Mozambique Island took a decisive step towards a more inclusive digital future with the inauguration of three Digital Squares, demonstrating how partnerships between local government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are bringing the benefits of digital transformation closer to communities.

Located at Praça 16 de Junho, Praça dos Heróis and the Lumbo Urban Administrative Post, the Digital Squares provide free public internet access while creating vibrant community spaces where residents can connect, learn, innovate and engage with digital services. Implemented by the Municipality of Mozambique Island with technical and financial support from UNDP, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that digital technologies become a driver of inclusive and sustainable local development.

For thousands of residents—including students, young people, entrepreneurs and community members—the Digital Squares are opening new opportunities to access knowledge, online learning, business information and public services. By reducing barriers to connectivity, the initiative is helping bridge the digital divide and ensuring that digital transformation reaches those who have historically been left behind.

The official inauguration, led by the President of the Municipal Council of Mozambique Island, Momade Amisse Ali, brought together municipal authorities, community representatives and UNDP. In his remarks, the Mayor underscored the importance of internet connectivity as an engine for local development, encouraging the responsible use of digital technologies for education, innovation and entrepreneurship while calling on young people to support older generations in developing digital skills. His message reflected a broader vision of digital inclusion built on solidarity, lifelong learning and equal access to opportunities.

The initiative goes beyond internet connectivity. Public spaces were rehabilitated through improved paving, upgraded public lighting, renovated seating areas, new information signage and the installation of digital infrastructure that enables free community Wi-Fi. These improvements have transformed public spaces into accessible hubs for learning, collaboration and innovation while contributing to safer and more inclusive urban environments.

The Digital Squares are also part of the Municipality's wider digitalization agenda, supporting efforts to modernize public services in areas such as access to information, urban management, citizen engagement and local governance. By expanding digital access at community level, the initiative strengthens the relationship between citizens and public institutions while improving the delivery of essential services.

The initiative exemplifies UNDP Mozambique's strategic vision under its Country Programme Document (CPD) 2026–2030, which recognizes digital transformation as a key accelerator for sustainable development and positions innovation, digital public infrastructure and inclusive digital ecosystems at the centre of institutional transformation. Through partnerships with national and local governments, UNDP supports the development of digital solutions that strengthen governance, improve public service delivery, expand economic opportunities and ensure that technological progress benefits everyone.

By empowering communities with reliable access to digital technologies, the Digital Squares contribute directly to Mozambique's efforts to build resilient institutions, foster innovation and create more inclusive pathways for development. The initiative advances several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), demonstrating how local investments can generate national development impact.

The strong community uptake since the Digital Squares became operational highlights the growing demand for accessible digital infrastructure. Students are using the spaces to study and conduct research, entrepreneurs are connecting with new markets and opportunities, and citizens are accessing information and digital services that improve their daily lives. The Digital Squares have rapidly evolved into community hubs where technology, knowledge and civic participation converge.

As Mozambique accelerates its digital transformation journey, the Digital Squares on Mozambique Island demonstrate what is possible when local leadership, national priorities and international partnerships come together around a shared vision. More than public Wi-Fi spaces, they represent an investment in people, innovation and opportunity—creating the conditions for more connected communities, stronger local institutions and a more inclusive digital future where no one is left behind.