Tony Poulos, TelecomTV (00:07):
Hi, I am Tony Poulos and I'm here at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. I'm very pleased today to have with me Mr. Mário Oliveira, who is the minister of Telecoms IT and Social communications in Angola. Mr. Oliveira, welcome.

Mário Oliveira, Telecoms Minister, Angola (00:22):
Thank you. Thank you. It's a pleasure.

Tony Poulos, TelecomTV (00:25):
The last time you were here at Mobile World Congress, I believe was in 2019. That's five years ago. How do you feel about this particular trip to Barcelona

Mário Oliveira, Telecoms Minister, Angola (00:34):
After five years? The technology, of course, is developed a lot, and I found here new equipment, new technology. It means that the telecom sector continues improving in the world. And also I meet here some technician from companies that I meet five years ago. It's all of the telecom.

Tony Poulos, TelecomTV (01:03):
Of course, you have a very strong telecoms background yourself, so meeting these people is excellent for you. But network coverage now is crucial for the development of all sectors in Angola. What have you achieved in recent years and what are the future plans for Angola to improve coverage further

Mário Oliveira, Telecoms Minister, Angola (01:19):
In last three years, we have a new mobile operators. Now we have in Angola operating three mobile operators and the subscriber increase a lot during this three years ago. And also the internet cover is improving also. According with the regulator, last year we've got 11 million internet connection for the subscriber in al, it means that we are following what is happening in the world. And Dick sat is very important for the economy has happened in other countries of the world.

Tony Poulos, TelecomTV (02:01):
In October, 2022, you launched the second artificial communication satellite known as ango, SAT two. We're all very happy to see that news that the satellite did reach its intended orbit, which is always a challenge. But what positive impact do you think this will have on Angola and the operators?

Mário Oliveira, Telecoms Minister, Angola (02:20):
As you know, Angola is a huge country. We are more than 1.2 million kilometers squared, and the population are far away in cities. And with using satellite communication, we can be all over the country. And from June last year, we start a project called Connect, and we are installing internet connection up country in village. The small village. It means that we are cover all the country for all the people with the internet connection using satellite connection.

Tony Poulos, TelecomTV (02:59):
Well, Angola has changed rapidly in the last five years, particularly with the commercial launch of 5G as you mentioned. But how do you see 5G developing further in Angola?

Mário Oliveira, Telecoms Minister, Angola (03:08):
5G now is developed commercial, but just in three, four cities as you now is a new technology and the operators in Angola, we are working hard to cover all the country because it'll be good also for the industry, for the economy, for the agriculture, for the tourism, because we're improving a lot of tourism in Angola.

Tony Poulos, TelecomTV (03:34):
Well, according to the news, the Ministry of Communications has launched the construction of the National Broadband Project. What positive impact do you think this project will have on Angola when it becomes commercially available?

Mário Oliveira, Telecoms Minister, Angola (03:46):
It'll be ready if everything running well in the end of the next year and we'll cover it. The proposals cover old country with fiber connection. We are working with the provider solution to get first one terabyte network in Africa. Wow.

Tony Poulos, TelecomTV (04:09):
And what is your opinion of the current development of talent in the communications sector in Angola? And of course, what are the future plans for Angola to develop and contribute and continue to improve this talent? I mean, this is critical for the growth of the industry.

Mário Oliveira, Telecoms Minister, Angola (04:22):
Yes, it is. We are a youth country, our youth, they're working hard in it. And now we are installing some new schools, new technical institute. We are also preparing to provide an cybersecurity academy. We have a project which we call digital do ao. In this project, the youth can be there using facilities for the internet connection to develop, to create some products, the startups. Also, we have this project to call our use for the technology to develop some products. In terms of programmation, in terms of, I mean, we have also, last year we organized an ICT forum called It is an NICE C, this is the CT forum. And in this forum we have got the more than 100 startups.

Tony Poulos, TelecomTV (05:30):
Well, this is the critical part for you and of course we've seen you develop so quickly over the past five years. Maybe it's an advantage starting late with technology because you've got all the best technology now

Mário Oliveira, Telecoms Minister, Angola (05:41):
Available is our youth. Our youth. They are creative, they're working hard and we also, we have good partners that have developed the infrastructure with us. And it's the secret to have good partners and work the youth, creative youth that is compromised with the country.

Tony Poulos, TelecomTV (06:05):
Mr. Oliveira, thank you so much for being with me today. It's been great to catch up.

Mário Oliveira, Telecoms Minister, Angola (06:09):
It's a pleasure. And come to Angola to visit Angola. Angola is a country that is in development and we invite all of the people that wants to help us for the development of our country. Please, we are very warm. Huge for you.

Tony Poulos, TelecomTV (06:27):
We can see that. Thank you very much.