The Angolan government is launching a series of digital projects to streamline access to public services and meet citizens' demands for electronic solutions. However, the success of these initiatives may hinge on improving the country's internet infrastructure.

The implementation of Angola's ambitious Digital Acceleration Program (PADA) is encountering challenges, with limited internet access across the country emerging as a major hurdle.

During a public consultation session on PADA, Meick Afonso (photo), Director General of the Institute of Administrative Modernization (IMA), highlighted the issue to stakeholders, stating that for the transformation to be successful, it is essential that every citizen is connected.

PADA, a $300 million initiative funded by the World Bank, aims to drive digital inclusion, expand access to public services, and stimulate the digital economy. Ultimately, it seeks to transform Angola into a fully digitized society, streamlining access to administrative documents.

However, achieving this vision hinges on a reliable internet infrastructure. While recent developments such as Angola's connection to Meta's 2Africa fiber optic cable and a $249 million loan for a national broadband project bode well, current penetration remains low.

Statistics from the Angolan Institute of Communications (INACOM) indicate 10.08 million internet users in the country. However, a December 2023 report by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) ranks Angola 24th in Africa for ICT development, with a score of only 44.1 out of 100.

Samira Njoya