Johannesburg, South Africa – As Angola ascends to prominence on the global stage, President Biden’s visit marks a pivotal moment, offering the potential to deepen bilateral relations and solidify Angola’s role as a key regional and international player.
By Nthabi NEO Lesufi, Journalist
AfricaHeadline.com
This historic visit is set to boost Angola’s standing in global forums and open up opportunities across multiple sectors. In an exclusive interview with AfricaHeadline, Carlos Melo, a leading figure at SISTEC, discusses the broader implications of the visit and its potential to transform Angola’s technology and education sectors.
AfricaHeadline: In your opinion, what are the most significant benefits Angola stands to gain from President Biden’s visit?
Carlos Melo: The advantages are both geopolitical and economic. Angola is being positioned as a critical regional player and a rising force in global affairs. This visit underscores our significance in international diplomacy, particularly with Angola set to assume the African Union presidency next year.
Beyond diplomacy, it signals confidence in Angola as a reliable partner for foreign investment. For the Angolan people, it offers renewed hope for economic diversification, as international attention can drive investments in sectors like technology, renewable energy, and infrastructure.
AfricaHeadline: How do you see this visit influencing the trajectory of Angola’s technology sector, especially in terms of innovation and investment?
Carlos Melo: This visit can catalyse a shift in how global tech leaders perceive Angola. For too long, Africa has been viewed merely as a market rather than a partner in innovation.
By drawing attention to Angola’s potential, we hope to attract investments that will foster the development of tech hubs, encourage entrepreneurship, and spur innovation. We also anticipate a stronger presence of American tech companies, bringing expertise, capital, and a renewed focus on digital transformation across key industries.
AfricaHeadline: What opportunities do you foresee for SISTEC arising from these strengthened bilateral relations?
Carlos Melo: SISTEC has long-standing partnerships with American tech giants such as IBM, Cisco, Dell, and Oracle, which provide us with a strong platform to grow.
These relationships are now poised to expand into areas like AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Moreover, as American companies operating in Angola increasingly require local, certified partners, SISTEC is well-placed to fulfil these needs, ensuring we drive local capacity-building while benefiting from international expertise.
AfricaHeadline: Could you comment on the potential for partnerships between U.S. tech firms and local companies like SISTEC in areas such as digital transformation, education, and software development?
Carlos Melo: Partnerships of this nature are essential. Digital transformation and software development require a highly skilled workforce and innovative solutions.
For Angola, education must remain a central focus to enable these advancements. While SISTEC has pioneered private-sector initiatives, a more cohesive government-led programme could sustain long-term growth. With U.S. tech firms bringing in global expertise, these partnerships could revolutionise how we approach challenges in education and beyond.
AfricaHeadline: How will the agreements signed during the visit contribute to Angola’s human capital development, particularly in STEM fields?
Carlos Melo: These agreements are a step in the right direction, though their impact will unfold over time. STEM education must begin with foundational reforms in basic education.
A pipeline of talent requires sustained investment, not just in higher education but also in vocational training and mentorship programmes. By addressing these challenges, Angola can build a robust STEM ecosystem capable of driving technological advancements for decades.
AfricaHeadline: What role do you think SISTEC will play in leveraging these opportunities to advance Angola’s technology sector?
Carlos Melo: SISTEC is already playing an instrumental role, focusing on human capital as a cornerstone of success. We see ourselves as a bridge between global innovation and local implementation.
By collaborating with U.S. tech companies, we can co-create solutions that address Angola’s unique challenges, particularly in energy, public services, and defence. Our commitment to human capital development ensures these efforts have a lasting impact.
AfricaHeadline: How can Angola ensure the private sector maximises the benefits of these opportunities?
Carlos Melo: Angola must reduce bureaucratic hurdles and create an environment conducive to innovation. Encouraging partnerships between local companies and foreign investors is key.
Local firms like SISTEC can provide the on-ground knowledge and expertise necessary for sustainable projects. Additionally, a stable tax and financial system, combined with judicial reforms, will instil confidence among investors and enable the private sector to thrive.
AfricaHeadline: What initiatives could SISTEC pursue to capitalise on U.S. expertise and funding in educational technology?
Carlos Melo: At SISTEC, we have already established the Sistec Academy, which is ISO9001-certified and serves as a Pearson VUE testing partner. Leveraging U.S. expertise, we aim to expand our offerings into e-learning, digital certifications, and tech-focused vocational training. With targeted funding, we could also establish centres of excellence, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to access world-class education and skills development.
AfricaHeadline: How do you envision Angola’s technology and education sectors evolving as a result of closer ties with the U.S.?
Carlos Melo: Angola is on the cusp of a technological renaissance. Over the next decade, we expect significant advancements in high-skill education and digital transformation. However, this growth must be underpinned by strategic investments in basic education and infrastructure.
By fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, Angola can position itself as a technology and education leader in Africa, benefitting generations to come.
AfricaHeadline: Finally, what steps should the government and private sector take to sustain the momentum from this visit?
Carlos Melo: The government must prioritise reforms that create an investor-friendly climate. Transparent governance, simplified regulatory frameworks, and incentives for innovation will be crucial.
Engaging local businesses as strategic partners in foreign-led projects ensures that Angola reaps the full benefits of these investments. For the private sector, the focus should be on scaling operations, building capacity, and fostering long-term partnerships that drive inclusive growth.
AfricaHeadline: Thank you, Mr Melo, for sharing your valuable insights on the opportunities presented by President Biden’s visit and its impact on Angola’s technology and education sectors.
Carlos Melo: Thank you for providing this platform to discuss Angola’s immense potential and the importance of collaboration in achieving our national goals. It is encouraging to reflect on the possibilities ahead, and I look forward to seeing how this historic visit will translate into meaningful progress for Angola and its people.
Angola’s potential as a leader in Africa’s technological and economic transformation was a key theme in our conversation with Carlos Melo, CEO of SISTEC. He emphasised the importance of international collaboration, particularly with the United States, in harnessing the country’s resources and talent.
Highlighting the critical role of education and innovation, Mr Melo outlined how partnerships with global stakeholders could drive solutions to Angola’s challenges in infrastructure, healthcare, and technology. He also underscored the need for a supportive governmental framework and the pivotal role of companies like SISTEC in bridging local expertise with global innovation, paving the way for sustainable growth and development.
