Mozambique has signed a 20-year contract with Internet cable operator SEACOM to provide broadband access to government institutions and schools, science ministry official Rufino Gujamo said Thursday.

The $2.8-million deal will improve communication among government agencies, as part of government's efforts to increase efficiency, he told AFP.

SEACOM runs one of two undersea fiber-optic cables running along Africa's east coast, which have vastly improved the region's Internet access.

With its long coastline, Mozambique has also benefitted from deals with landlocked neighbours to provide access to the cables.

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(c) 2012 AFP