Productive transformation and youth employment in Mozambique in the age of artificial intelligence.

Abstract

Mozambique faces a major structural challenge characterized by high youth unemployment, low industrialization, and dependence on primary sectors. In this context, productive transformation is a strategic necessity for fostering inclusive and sustainable growth. This article analyzes the role of artificial intelligence and the digital economy as potential drivers of economic transformation and youth employment. Using a qualitative, documentary-based approach, the study examines opportunities offered by digital technologies in key sectors such as agriculture, education, services, and entrepreneurship. The findings show that, despite constraints related to infrastructure, digital skills, and limited access to technology, artificial intelligence can promote innovation, improve productivity, and generate new forms of employment. Furthermore, it contributes to new economic models based on the digitalization of activities and the integration of young people into more competitive value chains. The article highlights the need for integrated public policies focused on training, technological investment, and digital inclusion. It concludes that Mozambique’s productive transformation will depend on its ability to integrate digital technologies effectively into its economic and educational systems while reducing social and territorial inequalities. This dynamic also requires an appropriate institutional framework that fosters local innovation, international cooperation, and the development of advanced digital skills in order to ensure the sustainable integration of young people into the current national labor market.