Angola is set to reinforce its investment in telecommunications infrastructure through the launch of a new Earth observation satellite and the expansion of its national fibre optic network. President João Lourenço made the announcement during the opening of the Luanda Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development held in Luanda on 28 October 2025, reiterating Angola’s commitment to digital equity and technological modernisation as a cornerstone of national progress.
These developments form part of Angola’s broader digital transformation and economic diversification strategy, reflecting both national ambitions and regional integration goals aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a continental framework aimed at inclusive growth and sustainable development.
President Lourenço emphasised the importance of universal access to digital solutions, framing technological access as a right rather than a privilege. “We are investing in another Earth observation satellite and expanding the national fibre optic network throughout the country to make digital solutions and technological innovation available to all Angolans,” he said, underlining the government’s intention to decentralise access to digital infrastructure and ensure no community is left behind.
This announcement builds on previous milestones such as the successful launch of Angosat-2 in October 2022. Angosat-2, Angola’s first operational telecommunications satellite, delivers internet, broadcasting, and data communication services across Angola and extends its coverage to several African regions. The new satellite, once launched, is expected to further enhance Earth observation capabilities, providing data crucial for agriculture, climate monitoring, and disaster management—sectors integral to the continent’s long-term resilience and autonomy.
The planned fibre optic expansion aims to bolster domestic and regional digital infrastructure, potentially integrating rural and remote areas into the digital economy. Such inclusion is not only vital to Angola’s socio-economic objectives but also supports continental strategies for interconnectivity, knowledge exchange, and institutional strengthening across Africa.
Angola’s investment trajectory underscores a shift in narrative from dependency on imported technological solutions toward ownership of innovation and digital sovereignty. It signals an African-led digital renaissance grounded in pragmatic policy, regional solidarity, and long-term infrastructural planning. Rather than mimicking external developmental models, the country’s approach to infrastructure prioritises context-relevant solutions, drawn from local realities and African aspirations.
As telecommunications increasingly underpin every aspect of governance, education, commerce, and public health, Angola’s renewed commitment invites a wider discourse on the role of African states in shaping the digital future of the continent. It also represents a concerted effort to close the digital divide that continues to affect many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, especially in underserved regions.
These projects, according to government officials, are viewed not merely as technological upgrades but as foundational instruments for empowerment, equity, and regional solidarity. The long-term objective remains to foster a digital ecosystem that reflects Africa’s diversity, sustains its economies, and affirms its capacity for homegrown innovation and leadership.
