Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 89 | Page 40

COUNTRY FOCUS : ANGOLA
As part of the Angola Cables family , TelCables West Africa ’ s Partner Programme is a testament to the company ’ s dedication to empowering businesses in West Africa to reach new heights in the digital age . Based in Nigeria , and with a global footprint in 20 countries on five continents , TelCables offers a wide range of Internet exchange points , points-of-presence , peering , and related services .
TelCables West Africa launched its Partner Programme in April this year . This initiative is designed to empower companies in West Africa to shape the future of digital connectivity , tap into the rapidly growing enterprise market , and expand their businesses internationally .
The Partner Programme provides a comprehensive suite of management tools to support partners in their sales efforts . This includes portal , sales and marketing tools that enable partners to define product , commercial , and marketing strategies , as well as receive technical formation and go-to-market initiatives to streamline and accelerate their market offerings .
Current participants in the Partner Programme include Microsoft , NEC , Juniper Networks , Ciena and Check Point Software Technologies , benefiting from Angola Cables ’ extensive , low-latency direct access connectivity , connecting to the largest Internet Exchange Points , Tier 1 operators , and global content providers in Africa and around the world .
Expanding country to country networks
In July last year , Liquid Dataport announced plans to expand its fibre backbone to connect Luanda , Angola and Lusaka , Zambia directly . This follows Liquid ’ s launch of a new fibre link between Lobito , Angola and Kinshasa , Democratic Republic of Congo . Liquid Dataport reiterated its commitment to making highspeed connectivity more accessible by expanding its fibre backbone to directly connect Luanda , Angola , to Lusaka , Zambia , via Chavuma .
The 2,500 km fibre route will bring additional and affordable Internet services , positively impacting the lives of millions of people along the way .
Through this investment , Liquid will directly connect Angola to Zambia through its fibre network in Zambia and collaborate with partners like Angola Telecom and others in Angola and Zambia . The addition of this route to Liquid ’ s regional fibre backbone is a significant addition to its existing 110,000 km fibre backbone , providing its regional customers access to high-speed connectivity and cloud services at affordable costs .
According to the Zambia Inclusive Digital Economy Status Report 2022 , only 53 % of citizens are digitally included , and Liquid ’ s new fibre route will not only cater to the demands of wholesale customers but also intends to provide enterprises and small and medium enterprises , SMEs with direct access to high-speed connectivity . Mobile operators and local Internet Service Providers will also pass on the benefits to their customers .
Liquid Dataport and Angola Telecom , also announced a new terrestrial fibre route between Luanda , Angola to Johannesburg , South Africa , via DRC , Zambia and Zimbabwe . The addition of this route to Liquid ’ s regional fibre backbone is a significant addition to its existing 110,000 km network , providing its regional customers ’ access to high-speed connectivity at affordable costs .
There is a conscious drive towards making the Internet more popular , as currently , the Internet penetration in Angola is only 5 million people . With this investment , Liquid Dataport and Angola Telecom have allowed organisations and people in Angola access to highspeed connectivity , offering numerous advantages and fostering direct commerce corridors . This route traverses through Angola , the Democratic Republic of Congo , Zimbabwe , Zambia , and South Africa .
While the route caters to the high demand from wholesale customers , Liquid Dataport has partnered with Angola Telecom to provide enterprises and SMEs in the country with access to high-speed connectivity and even direct connectivity to data centres in Johannesburg .
Liquid Dataport ’ s investment in this cutting-edge route aligns with its broader vision of establishing an extensive network of fibre routes throughout Africa . This investment aligns with vision of One Africa Digital Network that links all African countries . The extension of this broadband route will ensure that enterprises in Zambia and Angola drive innovation and economic growth . p
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