Mozambique’s Digital Leap: How Mobile Money is Revolutionizing Public Health Campaigns and Empowering Frontline Workers

In the vast and often challenging landscapes of Mozambique, public health initiatives hinge on the dedication of thousands of frontline workers. Ensuring these crucial personnel are paid efficiently and securely has historically presented significant logistical hurdles. However, a digital revolution led by the World Health Organization (WHO) is transforming this process: Mobile Money (MOMO).

Traditionally, large-scale health campaigns involving thousands of vaccinators, supervisors, and community mobilizers across remote provinces often relied on cumbersome and risky cash payments. Since 2024, WHO Mozambique has spearheaded the implementation of the MOMO digital payment system, drastically simplifying remuneration for those involved in critical public health campaigns and emergency responses.

This innovative approach has already channeled over USD 14.4 million to nearly 246,000 beneficiaries nationwide, marking a significant advancement in Mozambique’s digital payment landscape for the health sector. By replacing traditional cash transfers, MOMO has introduced a system that is not only faster and safer but also more transparent and inclusive, effectively mitigating the complex logistical demands associated with cash distribution in extensive campaigns.

The real impact of this digital transformation is best seen on the ground, exemplified by the recent second round of the national polio vaccination campaign in June 2026. Thousands of field workers across multiple provinces received their payments instantly via MOMO, allowing them to remain focused on their life-saving mission.

At the heart of this operational efficiency are dedicated MOMO focal points like Manansses Rosário, 30, based at the Luia Health Centre in the Chifunde District. Equipped with an Android mobile phone and support from provincial Super Trainers, Manansses’s role involves registering staff, monitoring their attendance, and ensuring accurate information for timely payments.

“This is my second polio vaccination campaign as a MOMO focal point, and it has been very straightforward to carry out this role,” explains Rosário. “The platform is easy to use and, immediately after the training, I was able to register my colleagues and monitor their attendance without any difficulty.”

For the WHO, the widespread adoption of digital payments signifies a strategic investment in strengthening Mozambique’s health infrastructure and operational resilience. Gwinyayi Chikonzo, WHO Acting Operations Officer in Mozambique, underscores this vision: “The digitisation of payments represents a significant step forward in the way we support health campaigns. We are making processes more efficient, more transparent and more inclusive, whilst significantly strengthening accountability and ensuring a complete digital record of all transactions.”

Beyond operational gains, this digital innovation offers substantial advantages for partners funding health initiatives through WHO. Electronic processes enhance resource traceability, improve monitoring mechanisms, and bolster transparency in the allocation of funds for public health interventions. As Mozambique continues to expand MOMO’s application across various health activities, it demonstrates that digital solutions can extend far beyond mere technology. In a nation grappling with challenges of vast distances, complex logistics, and financial inclusion, Mobile Money is proving instrumental in bringing essential resources closer to those who need them most, thereby reinforcing the overall health system’s capacity to respond effectively.

The successful integration of Mobile Money into Mozambique’s health campaigns is a powerful testament to how digital innovation can fundamentally transform public health delivery. It’s not just about paying people; it’s about building a more resilient, transparent, and equitable health system, ensuring that every child can be reached, and every health worker empowered.