"Angotic is a living expression of the Angolan State's commitment to modernization and the creation of real opportunities for all citizens," he said.
Lima Massano added that this event is more than a "showcase of innovation," it is also a "call to action" to build technological solutions capable of responding to everyday challenges.
"This forum is more than a showcase of innovation; it is a call to action, to collaboration and to the construction of technological solutions that respond to the concrete challenges of our days, from electronic governance to productive inclusion, from cybersecurity to digital education," he said, as quoted by Rádio Nacional de Angola (RNA).
"We want technology as a means to combat inequalities, generate jobs, stimulate entrepreneurship and ensure more efficient and accessible public services," he added.
He also hoped that the event "will be a forum for renewing commitments", as well as for "affirming talents and building new partnerships": "May Angotic 2025 be a forum for renewing commitments, affirming talents and building new partnerships that will help us to continue communicating, modernizing and developing".
Among other aspects, Massano also highlighted the special significance of the current edition, given that it is being held in the year in which the country marks 50 years of independence.
Over these 50 years, several stages have been achieved in terms of policies, regulations and human and technological training, he said, also mentioning the Communications Expansion and Modernization Program, present in the National Development Plan 2023-2027 which, in his view, has fostered a digital agenda with defined goals to increase connectivity throughout the country, as well as modernize public services, writes Angop.
The Minister of State for Economic Coordination also visited the stands at the event. After this visit, Massano praised the role of young people in technological innovation.
"New technological solutions and innovations are essentially the responsibility of young people, which obliges the Executive to continue encouraging, supporting and finding concrete ways to bring many of the initiatives to life," he said.
On this visit, José de Lima Massano was accompanied by Mário Oliveira, Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication, who also spoke at the opening of the event.
In his speech, Mário Oliveira highlighted the technological modernization that has taken place over the last 50 years. "In the 50 years of Angola's existence as a free and independent country, the telecommunications, information technologies and communication sector has kept pace with global technological development, as well as the modernization of its regulatory system," he said.
According to the minister, this modernization allowed the "liberalization of the market to begin in 2000, with the emergence of the first private telecommunications operators."
"This modernization has enabled the installation of terrestrial and microwave fiber optic networks, which interconnect the country's main cities, submarine fiber optic cable networks that interconnect the country with the world, a national space program and a strong and successful commitment to training national professionals with a high level of technical and scientific knowledge to operate these networks and technological programs", he said, quoted by RNA.
According to the minister, "the country is currently moving towards the expansion and improvement of its telecommunications infrastructures, the implementation of Digital Terrestrial Television, which will constitute a historic milestone for the national television and radio network with a view to providing quality public services".
He also spoke about the creation of telecommunications infrastructures with the capacity to serve the economy and people's daily lives. "This is how we have a network for accessing internet banking, telemedicine, teleeducation and the strong commitment that the Government has made to administrative modernization, for digital transformation and improvement of citizens' conditions", he said, quoted by Angop.
Maria Borges, a model and ambassador for Angolan tourism, said she sees this forum as an opportunity to attract tourists, adding that technology helps simplify access for tourists, especially with regard to location.
"These are events that we must unite and find solutions for the future. We have two very strong mobile phone networks in the country, but we think they are not enough because Angola is growing," she also said in statements to Angop.
The current edition of Angotic will remain open until Saturday. Taking place at the Talatona Convention Center, the event's motto is "50 years Communicating, Modernizing and Developing Angola."
