Technology for progress: Angola pledges digital innovation to drive jobs, equity and public sector efficiency

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Luanda, June 12, 2025 – AfricaHeadline

In a powerful keynote address opening the 5th edition of ANGOTIC – Angola’s flagship International ICT Forum, the Minister of State for Economic Coordination, José de Lima Massano, stated that Angola is embracing technology not as a luxury, but as a strategic engine to fight inequality, create jobs, boost entrepreneurship, and deliver more inclusive and efficient public services.

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Speaking on behalf of President João Lourenço at the Talatona Convention Center in Luanda, Massano emphasized that digital transformation must become a national instrument of development, capable of linking innovation to the needs of the people.

“We want technology to be a tool for transformation, economic, but social. We must use it to close the gap between rural and urban areas, between those with access and those without, between opportunity and exclusion,” he declared.

This year’s ANGOTIC is held under the banner “50 Years Communicating, Modernizing and Developing Angola”, as part of the broader celebrations of the nation’s golden jubilee of independence. According to Massano, this theme reflects a commemoration of the past, but a commitment to the future.

Massano noted that Angola’s 2023–2027 National Development Plan (PDN) places technology at the center of government efforts to modernize public administration, support the private sector, and promote innovation-led growth.

He referenced major digital infrastructure projects, including the expansion of national broadband, the strengthening of e-governance, and the promotion of digital financial services.

“Digital infrastructure is about connectivity, it’s about inclusion. It is about reaching the most remote communities with education, health, and opportunity,” he stressed.

Massano praised ANGOTIC as a strategic platform for dialogue, cooperation and competitiveness, highlighting its role in connecting government, private sector, academia, and international partners in shaping Angola’s digital future.

He called on the youth, innovators, and entrepreneurs to seize the opportunities provided by digitalization, noting that Angola’s demographic profile presents a major advantage if aligned with skills development and digital literacy.

“We believe in a future where our young people are not job seekers, but job creators — empowered by technology and connected to global networks of opportunity,” he said.

Despite recognising existing challenges — from infrastructure gaps to digital illiteracy — the Minister reaffirmed Angola’s firm political will to deliver on its digital agenda. He called for continued investment in capacity-building, regulatory reform, and innovation funding, particularly for startups and SMEs.

Massano also highlighted the role of international cooperation and partnerships with African and global tech players, stressing Angola’s readiness to contribute to the continental digital economy and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

“This is the time to act. To scale solutions. To place technology at the service of the people,” he concluded.

With over 100 exhibitors and more than 20,000 attendees expected, ANGOTIC 2025 is not only a celebration, but a working forum. It provides space for product launches, policy discussions, investment matchmaking, and technology showcases, bringing Angola closer to becoming a leading digital hub in Southern Africa.

The event includes guided visits to institutional stands, startup tents, and showcases on space technology, smart cities, cybersecurity, and e-governance, all underpinned by a unifying goal: to build a digital Angola for all.