Angola’s network operator, Angola Telecom, has partnered with technology group, Liquid Dataport, to launch a new terrestrial fiber route between Luanda and Johannesburg, South Africa. The new fiber route will offer a significant addition to Liquid Dataport’s existing 110,000km network, and will traverse the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, providing regional customers with affordable high-speed connectivity, thus improving connectivity between Angola and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
“We have made some significant investments in our telecommunications sector over the last 25 years, which includes terrestrial, submarine and even satellite connectivity,” stated Hon. Mário Oliveira, Angola’s Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication, adding, “The partnership between Angola Telecom and Liquid Dataport has also allowed us to enjoy seamless connectivity with our customers in COMESA and South Africa, supporting long-term growth in our economies.”
In addition to fostering direct commerce corridors between eastern and southern Africa, the terrestrial fiber route will provide small- and medium-sized enterprises in Angola with high-speed connectivity and direct connectivity to data centers in South Africa, the continent’s third-largest economy.
“We are excited to see the fruits of this partnership lead to increased contribution of the ICT (information and communication technologies) sector to national GDP,” stated Angola Telecom CEO, Adilson Dos Santos.
Poised to establish an extensive network of fiber routes throughout Africa, the collaboration is expected to drive economic growth while fostering socioeconomic development throughout the sub-Saharan African region.
“Our unwavering dedication to expanding the horizons of connectivity in Africa will empower businesses to unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth, collaborate on a global scale, and harness the immense potential of digital technologies,” stated Liquid Dataport CEO, David Eurin.
Meanwhile, Angola’s President, H.E. João Lourenço, recently indicated that improving Angola’s telecommunications and ICT sectors will boost industrial and technological modernization while promoting economic diversification in the southern African country.
Speaking on Monday, the Head of State stressed the importance of broadband networks and a strong electronic communications network while highlighting the role the private sector will play in contributing towards the growth of the country’s non-oil economy.
The development of Angola’s ICT industry will be fundamental towards social inclusion and ensuring access to telemedicine, distance learning, electronic learning, and other associated services, while contributing towards health, education, food security, gender equality, and poverty reduction.
Highlighting the construction and placing into orbit of the country’s second communications satellite, AngoSat, in October last year, H.E. President Lourenço iterated Angola’s progress towards diversifying its economy and promoting economic development. The President noted that improving connectivity to the country is in line with the Government’s development goals under Angola’s Nationally Integrated ICT Policy White Papers 2019/2020.
Furthermore, Angola’s Government has announced plans to develop a digital literacy program to promote training programs for the country’s youth. Under the country’s long-term strategic plan, which will be implemented through to 2050, Angola will partner with internet service providers to equip primary and secondary schools with computers and network connections for the development of digital skills and the promotion of creativity and innovation.
