Internet services already reach 33% of Angolans and this represents “significant growth”, according to the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, speaking at the opening of the fourth edition of the International Forum on Information and Communication Technologies in Angola (ANGOTIC 2024).
Citing data from the Angolan Communications Institute, he revealed that there was a 59,2% growth in the number of mobile phone subscribers, whose penetration rate rose to 75%, while Internet services are subscribed to by 33% of Angolans.
The penetration rate per 100 inhabitants corresponds to 75%, which is equivalent to a growth of 28,8% in the same period.
"Regarding internet access, the growth recorded is equally significant and, in the period under analysis, the number of subscribers reached 11,2 million, with the penetration rate rising to 33%", said.
"The data numbered above highlights a significant expansion in the accessibility and use of telecommunications services in our country“, He stressed.
According to João Lourenço, the growth of mobile subscriptions and Internet penetration “reflects the growing demand for connectivity and the adoption of digital technologies by the population and companies".
This increase “can be attributed to several factors", including "The expansion of telecommunications networks, the greater offer of affordable plans and the improvement in infrastructure stand out".
João Lourenço pointed out that the increase in the penetration rate of mobile telephony and the internet in Angola “is a positive indication of digital inclusion and economic development", then "facilitates and speeds up access to information, education, financial services and business opportunities".
Speaking to hundreds of participants at the forum, including Angolan and foreign operators, he said that the growth of the telecommunications and information technology sector in the country results from investments made by the Government, especially in basic infrastructure and staff training.
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The expansion of the terrestrial fiber optic network - “the installation of around two thousand kilometers is being prepared” -, Angola's accession to the 2África submarine fiber optic cable, and the consolidation of the national space program with the commercialization of capacity of the Angosat 2 satellite were highlighted as fundamental initiatives in the current growth of the sector.
The Angolan head of state also announced that technical conditions were being prepared for the installation of digital terrestrial television and the interconnection of the country with border countries via terrestrial optical fiber.
His Government, he added, will continue to invest in infrastructure and digital services, “towards reducing info-exclusion, as well as transforming“of the economy”in a digital economy, providing a better quality of life” to citizens.
"This is how we are committed to the expansion and modernization of the national fiber optic broadband network, the development of the national space program, the construction and operationalization of the Government's data center, the improvement of the regulatory and legal environment, which is more attractive for national and foreign private investment, and in the continuous transformation of our country into a regional 'hub', serving countries in the region and beyond“, He stressed.
João Lourenço also reported that the internet penetration rate in Africa is only 37%, representing “a low indicator“, so there must be a joint effort “to reverse this situation”.
