Africell to shake up Angola telecoms sector with new era of competition.

$150 million already invested; significantly more planned.

Over a thousand direct and indirect jobs already created; 95% to Angolans.

Free Africell-to-Africell calls; data priced up to 50% cheaper than competition.

Africell today launched commercial mobile services in Angola. The entry of an independent operator brings fresh competition to Angola’s telecommunications sector and signals positive progress in efforts to open Angola’s economy.

Africell’s launch in Angola is a major step forward in its mandate to transform the country’s digital landscape. In addition to introducing new mobile products and services, Africell is generating thousands of jobs and creating a technology platform that will boost related sectors such as education, finance and entertainment. 

Africell’s commercial launch comes only fourteen months after it secured Angola’s 4th unified telecommunications license. To date, over US$150 million has been invested in building a 5G-ready network with a starting capacity of over 6 million subscribers. Africell Angola has already created over a thousand direct and indirect jobs (with 95% going to Angolans) and more will be generated as the network grows.

Partnerships with blue-chip international technology vendors including Nokia, Oracle and Digis Squared, as well as with carefully selected local suppliers such as Angola Cables and MSTelcom, promise Africell Angola’s users an unprecedented level of service quality on a secure, trustworthy and resilient network.

With a population of over 30 million and one of the largest economies in the region, Angola is a leader in sub-Saharan Africa. However, compared to its peers, Angola’s telecommunications sector has historically experienced limited competition and investment. Africell’s launch in Angola will change this by giving consumers more choice, improving coverage, and expanding public access to digital products and services.

“Angola is a country of enormous potential”, says Ziad Dalloul, Africell Group’s Chairman and CEO. “Its people have a unique energy which makes Angola an exciting place to invest. Over the last twenty years, Africell has developed the experience and capabilities needed to embrace this opportunity: bringing competition to a big new market and using our network to stimulate economic growth and social development. Africell is making a long-term commitment to Angola and we are thrilled to be launching a brand that the country can be proud of”.    

Preparations for Africell’s launch in Angola have encountered external challenges related to COVID-19 including restrictions, shortages and supply chain disruptions. Today’s commercial launch is thanks to a highly motivated team, close collaboration with Angola’s government, and Africell’s entrepreneurial approach to solving operational challenges. The entry of a new mobile operator gives a powerful advantage to Angola as it seeks to build back from the economic effects of the pandemic.

“We have heard the message loud and clear that when it comes to mobile services, Angola wants change”, says Chris Lundh, CEO of Africell Angola. “From today, Angolan mobile users will have more choice and better prices. They will have access to a mobile operator they can trust and which puts their interests first. Africell’s strategy is to give all Angolans the digital tools they need to realise their potential. Using all our energy and expertise, Africell is building a mobile network in Angola that will soon be recognised as the best in the country”.

Africell’s launch in Angola aligns with an ambitious national reform programme that involves welcoming more competition and innovation into critical sectors such as telecommunications. The arrival of Africell – the only US-owned mobile network operator in Africa, which counts the US government (through the US Development Finance Corporation) as its biggest external investor – represents a significant inward commitment, and points to Angola’s growing appeal as an international investment destination.

To mark its launch, Africell Angola will offer new customers free Africell-to-Africell calls. Customers can also enjoy Africell’s 4G-native network with data bundles up to half the price of competing offers, with 1GB of data costing only 750KZ (US$1.69).