Angola Cables eyes lucrative East African market

Angolan multinational telecommunications company Angola Cables is gearing up to broaden its scope in the African market and beyond, with a keen focus on Rwanda. In an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa's Julius Bizimungu at the Angola-Rwanda Business Forum in Kigali, the company's Chief Executive Officer, Angelo Gama shed light on the strategic approach and growth plans of Angola Cables. Gama emphasized the strategic importance of Rwanda as a key hub due to its favorable localization, making it an ideal launch point for the company's expansion efforts. With a consistent annual GDP growth rate of 7.5% and a flourishing technological landscape, Rwanda presents an attractive opportunity for Angola Cables to establish a strong foothold in East Africa and beyond. Key Points: 1. Infrastructure Investments and Connectivity: Angola Cables has made significant investments in submarine cable systems linking Africa to South America and Europe, facilitating direct communication routes between continents. The South Atlantic Cable System (SACS) spanning over 6,000 kilometers plays a pivotal role in enhancing connectivity between Africa and South America, bypassing the need for routing through Europe and the US. Additionally, the company is part of the Western Africa Cable System (WACS) Consortium, enabling seamless connectivity from South Africa to Europe, with strategic points of presence in major global locations. 2. Pandemic Resilience and Capacity Growth: Amid the global pandemic, Angola Cables experienced a surge in demand for connectivity services as remote work and digital communication became essential. The company witnessed a 50% increase in infrastructure capacity, reaching 1.5 terabits to meet the heightened connectivity needs. Gama highlighted Angola Cables' unique positioning, providing direct connectivity to leading content providers like AWS, Azure, and Google, enhancing user experience by bypassing intermediaries and ensuring direct access to online services. 3. Strategic Evolution and Future Outlook: As the telecommunications landscape evolves, Angola Cables is transitioning from a traditional connectivity provider to a digital solutions company. With a strategic focus on content delivery and diversification of services beyond connectivity, the company aims to stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry. Gama envisions a transformed Angola Cables in the coming years, offering a mix of connectivity and content services to meet the evolving needs of customers and stay competitive in the market. Quote: Reflecting on the company's transformation, Gama stated, 'The connectivity business will be there, but I can guarantee you that it will be less than 50% of our income in two, three years' time. Angola Cables is poised to embrace a new era of digital services and content provision, catering to the dynamic demands of the evolving telecommunications landscape.'