Digital Angola Glossary
This glossary provides definitions for the key terms, acronyms, entity names, regulatory frameworks, and technical terminology used throughout the Digital Angola intelligence platform. Covering the full breadth of Angola’s digital transformation ecosystem, the glossary serves as a reference for professionals navigating telecommunications, digital infrastructure, fintech, regulatory affairs, and technology investment in Angola.
Terms are organized alphabetically. Entries include context specific to Angola’s digital ecosystem where applicable. This glossary is updated regularly as new entities, technologies, regulations, and industry terms enter the coverage domain.
A
ADONES — Angola Domestic Network System. A domestic submarine cable system connecting coastal cities along Angola’s Atlantic seaboard, complementing terrestrial fiber routes and improving redundancy for domestic data traffic.
AGT — Angola Telecom (formerly Angola Telecom E.P.). The state-owned telecommunications operator historically responsible for fixed-line services and international gateway operations. Subject to ongoing restructuring and privatization discussions as part of Angola’s broader state enterprise reform program.
ANGOSAT — Angola’s national satellite program. AngoSat-2, launched in 2022, provides telecommunications and broadcasting capacity covering Angola and the broader region. Operated under the oversight of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies, and Social Communication.
API — Application Programming Interface. A set of protocols enabling software applications to communicate with each other. Relevant in the context of fintech platforms, mobile money systems, and open banking initiatives in Angola.
AREN — Angola Research and Education Network. A planned or developing network infrastructure connecting research and educational institutions across Angola for academic collaboration and data sharing.
B
BNA — Banco Nacional de Angola. The central bank of Angola, responsible for monetary policy, banking supervision, and regulation of the financial system including digital payment systems and mobile money operators.
BODIVA — Bolsa de Divida e Valores de Angola. The Angolan debt and securities exchange, relevant for tracking publicly listed telecommunications and technology companies and for monitoring government debt instruments financing digital infrastructure.
Broadband Penetration — The percentage of the population or households with access to broadband internet services. A key metric tracked on the Digital Angola Dashboard, with distinct measurements for fixed broadband and mobile broadband.
C
CESIC — Centro de Estudos e Investigacao Cientifica. Research institution relevant to workforce development and technical capacity building in Angola’s digital ecosystem.
Cloud Computing — Delivery of computing services (servers, storage, databases, networking, software) over the internet. Angola’s cloud computing market is developing through both local data center investment and international cloud provider expansion.
Colocation — A data center service model where organizations rent space, power, and cooling in a shared facility rather than building their own. Relevant to Angola’s emerging data center market.
CMC — Capital Market Commission. The regulatory body overseeing Angola’s capital markets, relevant for technology company listings, fintech regulation, and digital securities.
D
Dark Fiber — Optical fiber infrastructure that has been installed but is not currently in use. Dark fiber assets represent latent capacity in Angola’s terrestrial and submarine cable networks.
Data Center — A facility housing computing and storage infrastructure. Angola’s data center market is developing through both sovereign facilities and commercial operators, with Luanda as the primary hub.
Data Sovereignty — The concept that data is subject to the laws of the country in which it is collected or processed. Relevant to Angola’s data protection regulatory framework and data center localization requirements.
Diario da Republica — The official gazette of the Republic of Angola, where all laws, presidential decrees, ministerial orders, and regulatory decisions are published. A primary source for Digital Angola’s regulatory coverage.
E
E-Government — The use of digital technologies by government agencies to deliver services, manage operations, and engage with citizens. Angola’s e-government programs are tracked in the Government Programs section.
EMIS — Empresa Interbancaria de Servicos. The interbank services company responsible for operating Angola’s payment systems infrastructure, including the Multicaixa network.
F
FADP — Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection. The Swiss data protection law applicable to The Vanderbilt Portfolio AG as publisher of Digital Angola.
Fiber to the Home (FTTH) — A broadband network architecture delivering fiber optic connectivity directly to residential premises. An emerging access technology in Angola’s urban markets.
Fintech — Financial technology. Companies using technology to deliver financial services including payments, lending, insurance, and investment. Angola’s fintech ecosystem is tracked in the Startup Ecosystem section.
G
GDPR — General Data Protection Regulation. The European Union’s data protection regulation, referenced in Digital Angola’s privacy and data handling policies.
GSM — Global System for Mobile Communications. The second-generation (2G) mobile standard still in widespread use across Angola for voice and basic data services.
H
Huawei — A Chinese multinational technology company and significant equipment supplier and technology partner in Angola’s telecommunications infrastructure. Referenced frequently in entity profiles and infrastructure assessments.
I
ICT — Information and Communications Technology. The broad sector encompassing telecommunications, computing, internet services, and digital media.
INACOM — Instituto Angolano das Comunicacoes. Angola’s telecommunications regulatory authority, responsible for licensing, spectrum management, competition oversight, and industry regulation. A primary entity in Digital Angola’s regulatory coverage.
Internet Exchange Point (IXP) — A physical facility where internet service providers exchange traffic between their networks. IXP development in Angola is critical for reducing latency and international bandwidth costs.
ISP — Internet Service Provider. Companies providing internet access services to consumers and businesses. Angola’s ISP landscape is tracked through entity profiles and competitive analysis.
ITU — International Telecommunication Union. The United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies. A key secondary data source for Digital Angola’s quantitative indicators.
K
Kwanza (AOA) — The national currency of Angola. All local-currency financial data on Digital Angola is denominated in Kwanza with the currency code AOA. Exchange rate dynamics significantly affect dollar-denominated investment analysis.
L
LTE — Long-Term Evolution. The fourth-generation (4G) mobile broadband standard deployed by Angola’s mobile operators. LTE coverage and capacity are key infrastructure metrics tracked on the platform.
Luanda — The capital city of Angola and the primary hub for digital infrastructure, technology companies, fintech startups, and internet exchange capacity. Most entity headquarters and data center facilities are concentrated in Luanda.
M
MINFIN — Ministerio das Financas. The Ministry of Finance, relevant for government budget allocations to digital infrastructure and public sector technology procurement.
MINTTICS — Ministerio das Telecomunicacoes, Tecnologias de Informacao e Comunicacao Social. The Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies, and Social Communication. The primary government ministry responsible for telecommunications policy, digital strategy, and the national ICT framework.
Mobile Money — Financial services delivered through mobile phone platforms. Angola’s mobile money market is developing under BNA regulatory oversight, with operators and fintech companies seeking market share.
Movicel — One of Angola’s major mobile telecommunications operators. Subject to entity profiling and competitive analysis on the platform.
Multicaixa — Angola’s national payment switch and ATM network operated by EMIS. Multicaixa Express is the associated mobile payment platform. Central to the country’s digital payment infrastructure.
N
NDP — National Development Plan. Angola’s medium-term economic planning framework, which includes targets and budget allocations for digital transformation, telecommunications infrastructure, and technology sector development.
O
OTT — Over-The-Top. Services delivered over the internet without direct involvement of the network operator, such as messaging apps, streaming services, and VoIP. OTT regulation and its competitive impact on operators is a recurring analytical theme.
P
PND — Plano de Desenvolvimento Nacional. Portuguese acronym for the National Development Plan. See NDP.
PoP — Point of Presence. A physical location where a telecommunications operator or ISP establishes network equipment to provide local connectivity. PoP distribution is a key metric in infrastructure coverage analysis.
S
SACS — South Atlantic Cable System. A submarine fiber optic cable connecting Luanda, Angola, to Fortaleza, Brazil, providing direct connectivity between Africa and South America. A critical infrastructure asset in Angola’s international connectivity.
Spectrum — The range of electromagnetic frequencies used for wireless communications. Spectrum allocation, licensing, and management by INACOM is a core regulatory topic on the platform.
Submarine Cable — Fiber optic cable laid on the ocean floor connecting countries and continents. Angola’s submarine cable connectivity is a primary focus of the Infrastructure Atlas section.
T
Terrestrial Fiber — Fiber optic cable deployed overland connecting cities, towns, and facilities within a country. Angola’s terrestrial fiber backbone and metro networks are tracked in the Infrastructure Atlas.
Tower Company — A company that owns and operates telecommunications tower infrastructure, leasing capacity to mobile operators. Tower market dynamics in Angola are covered in entity profiles and infrastructure assessments.
U
Unitel — Angola’s largest mobile telecommunications operator by subscriber base. A primary entity in Digital Angola’s coverage, subject to comprehensive profiling and competitive analysis.
USF — Universal Service Fund. A mechanism for financing telecommunications services in underserved areas. Angola’s USF structure and deployment are covered in regulatory and government program analysis.
V
Vanderbilt Terminal — The intelligence platform architecture used by The Vanderbilt Portfolio AG for its research publications. Digital Angola operates as the Vanderbilt Terminal for Angola’s digital transformation ecosystem.
W
WACS — West Africa Cable System. A submarine cable system running along the west coast of Africa, with a landing point in Angola. Part of the international connectivity infrastructure tracked in the Infrastructure Atlas.
Z
ZTE — A Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturer and technology partner for several of Angola’s infrastructure projects. Referenced in entity profiles and infrastructure assessments.
This glossary is maintained by the Digital Angola Intelligence Unit and updated as new terms enter the coverage domain. For suggested additions or corrections, contact editorial@digitalangola.com.