In recent years, the Angolan government and telecommunications companies have made substantial investments to support the country’s digital transition and position Angola as an African hub for data-focused industries.
A key contributor to those efforts has been MSTelcom, which was set up by the state-owned oil group Sonangol in 1996, and has since become a leading national supplier of telecommunication services to a diverse range of industries.
“Over time, our client base has grown from our initial stronghold in oil and gas to making significant inroads into other sectors, including mining, banking, insurance, transportation, logistics and the wider telecommunications market,” said CEO Felisberta Martins Jesus. “Our product portfolio spans telephony, the internet, fiber-optic and satellite network transmissions, radio frequency, data centers, websites and cutting-edge information technology products, such as cloud, cybersecurity and the Internet of Things solutions.”
The company has built up an extensive fiber-optic infrastructure network to boost Angola’s connectivity. “Our fiber-optic cables link the north and south of the country with the capital Luanda, we have established connections with the Congos and are expanding toward Namibia. We have also developed a partnership with Angola’s Namibe Railway, through which we are enhancing internal connections and extending our reach to Zambia,” Jesus said. “We are focused on continuing to improve and expand our infrastructure. There are areas of the country that are still unconnected and we want to ensure every Angolan has access to digital connectivity.”
While it strives to achieve this ambition, MSTelcom has integrated its services into the country’s Angosat-2 satellite program. “Our satellite network provides comprehensive coverage not only throughout Angola, but also across the region. Additionally, we hold a stake in Angola Cables, which operates one of the most important global submarine cable networks,” she said. “Through our strategic partnerships and investments, we are facilitating international connectivity and collaboration.”
Mutually beneficial collaboration
The company is dedicated to providing innovative services. For example, it pioneered high-quality cybersecurity solutions in Angola and has recently introduced drone technologies in a partnership with Terra Drone, a Japanese company that specializes in the supply of drones and drone-based services.
“This collaboration has already borne significant results, notably in sustainability services such as measuring methane levels on oil platforms and carbon levels in mangrove zones. Sustainability holds a paramount place in our priorities,” Jesus said. “As we navigate a dynamic telecommunications landscape, our commitment to innovation remains unwavering. Our objective is to continually innovate in ways that benefit our operations and, more importantly, contribute to the efficiency and satisfaction of our customers.”
The CEO believes that establishing more relationships with Japanese businesses is vital for achieving this objective. “These partnerships would go beyond sharing knowledge. We aspire to learn from Japanese companies and to jointly invest for shared growth. Our goal is to foster win-win collaborations, where companies do not merely sell their products or services to us, but become integral parts of our growth story,” she explained.
Jesus is confident that the country’s telecommunications sector and its wider economy offer huge possibilities for Japanese companies interested in exploring them.
“The Japanese market’s interest aligns with the vast opportunities in Angola, which has ample resources and a talented workforce. The people of Angola embody openness, resilience and profound optimism, fostering a vibrant atmosphere with immense growth potential,” she said. “There is a valuable opportunity for harmonious collaboration, leveraging the knowledge and experience of the Japanese people with the ambitious spirit of the Angolans. Japanese companies are warmly welcomed here and we anticipate a mutually beneficial journey ahead.”
https://info.japantimes.co.jp/international-reports/pdf/20250428-GI-Angola.pdf
https://global-insight.net
