Luanda - The administrator of the Central Bank of Angola, Ms Marília Poças, on Wednesday, in Luanda, defended the need for developing countries, such as Angola, to make greater investments as well as to develop more efficient public policies, in order to expand digital infrastructures.
Speaking at the 7th Conference running under the motto “National strategy for digital and financial inclusion”, promoted by Economia & Mercado Magazine, she highlighted that this type of investment also makes it possible to guarantee connectivity that meets the requirements of sustainable progress and digital transformation in the country.
The official also stated that emerging economies, such as Angola, face unique challenges in fully enjoying the benefits of digital transformation and the technological revolution.
To her, access to technologies, connectivity and financial exclusion are among the main obstacles to broad and equitable inclusion.
On the other hand, she recognized the important initiatives that have been developed by the Angolan government in view to reach digital transformation with the extension of the infrastructures and the integration of the country in the group of States that will benefit from the East and Southern Africa Inclusive Digitalization Program.
She added that this group aims to overcome barriers, such as infrastructure, accessibility, digital skills, cybersecurity risks and data protection, highlighting financial inclusion as the main factor in reducing inequalities, promoting economic growth and in generating opportunities for all.
The official recalled that broadband coverage in Angola is still below the reality of Southern African countries, with the 4G and 5G network still being significantly low, only in the 3G network does the country stand out, ranking among the best in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
In turn, the director of the company Internet Technologies Angola, S.A, Francisco Leite, who was part of a round-table that brought together several sector experts, said that Angola needs to continue to invest heavily in digital infrastructures, create more Data Centers, promote access to electrical energy in rural areas as well as in the human capital.
The chairman of Sistec's Board of Directors, Carlos de Melo, recently stated that the country has made significant progress, but that it could be better if companies were more financially strengthened.
On the same occasion, the general director of Angola Cables, Ângelo Gama, stated that Angola has a strong network of submarine cables that connects several continents and serves different African countries in an uninterrupted way.
In this regard, the manager guaranteed that his company is responsible for around 98% of communication in Angola.
The 7th Economy & Market Magazine Conference aims to debate the evolution of digital and financial inclusion in Angola, based on the Executive's plans and goals in this segment.
On the same occasion, the general director of Angola Cable, Ângelo Gama, stated that Angola has a strong network of submarine cables that connects several continents and serves different African countries uninterruptedly.
In this regard, the manager guaranteed that his company is responsible for around 98% of communication in Angola.
The 7th Economia & Mercado Magazine Conference aims to debate the evolution of digital and financial inclusion in Angola, based on the government's plans and goals in this segment.
However, operators from the telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies sector, as well as Finance, who were present at the event, pointed out possible solutions for the massification of communication services and reflected on the future of mobile payments in the country, a factor considered as one of the main drivers of financial inclusion in Angola.
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