Japan has allocated 1.5 billion yen (about US$10 million) in non-repayable aid to finance Angola’s shift from analogue to digital terrestrial television, in a move aimed at modernizing the country’s broadcasting infrastructure and expanding access to information.
The agreement was formalized through an exchange of notes between Angola’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japanese representatives. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will oversee implementation, building on its previous collaboration with Angola’s telecommunications ministry.
The “Digital Terrestrial Television Transmission Network Development Project” will focus on upgrading and installing digital systems at key broadcast facilities, including Viana and Palácio da Justiça stations in Luanda and the Sombreiro station in Benguela. Officials say the improvements will expand coverage, enhance broadcast quality, and help reduce information inequality across the country.
Beyond better transmission, the transition will support multilingual programming to reflect Angola’s linguistic diversity and introduce emergency alert functions for disaster preparedness and weather updates. The project will roll out in three phases: planning, infrastructure and equipment installation, and public education campaigns to encourage adoption.
With internet and mobile penetration still below 40 percent in Angola, television remains the country’s most widely accessible medium.The investment is expected to play a critical role in ensuring reliable information delivery nationwide while positioning Angola for broader digital transformation.
