The top-level domain (TLD) “.MZ” is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Mozambique, a Southeast African nation. The management and administration of this ccTLD are under the authority of the Mozambique Network Information Centre (MozNIC), which is dedicated to operating the domain registry and ensuring its secure and stable performance.
Like other ccTLDs, “.MZ” is intended primarily for use by entities connected with the country that the TLD represents, in this case, Mozambique. Domino registries for “.MZ” follow the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country codes, an established system of two-letter codes intended to represent names of countries and dependent areas, which are important to reduce ambiguity and establish a standard format.
In that format, the .MZ ccTLD is assigned for Mozambique, permitting local bodies, entities, and individuals to register domains that reflect their geographic location and may be more easily recognized or targeted by local web users. For instance, a business located in Mozambique might choose to use a .MZ domain to reflect its location, cultivate trust with local consumers, and rank higher in local search results.
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) records show that the .MZ domain was assigned to Mozambique back on 8th April 1992. The sponsoring organization recorded is the Centro de Informatica de Universidade Eduardo Mondlane. The regular day-to-day administration and technical operation of the .MZ domain are carried out by DNS AFRICA Ltd.
Like other ccTLDs, registration requirements may vary. Depending on the registry, some may require proof of residency or other connections to the country, while others may permit international registrations. Some registrars also offer additional services such as domain privacy to protect the identities of domain owners in WHOIS records.
Sources:
1. IANA.org – .MZ Domain Delegation Record: https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/mz.html
2. DNS Africa Ltd – .MZ Domain Management: https://dns.business/domains/mz/
3. ISO.org – ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 Country Codes: https://www.iso.org/iso-3166-country-codes.html
