Japan Injects $10 Million to Drive Angola’s Digital Terrestrial Television Transition

Japan has allocated around 1.5 billion yen (approximately 10 million US dollars) in non-repayable aid to support Angola’s transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television. The funding will finance the “Digital Terrestrial Television Transmission Network Development Project,” a program aimed at modernizing broadcasting infrastructure and expanding public access to information.

The cooperation agreement was formalized through the exchange of notes between Angola’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japan’s representatives. Implementation will be carried out by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has previously worked with Angola’s telecommunications ministry.

The initiative focuses on upgrading and installing digital transmission systems in strategic locations, including the Viana and Palácio da Justiça stations in Luanda and the Sombreiro facility in Benguela. By strengthening these hubs, the project seeks to widen coverage, improve broadcast quality, and reduce information inequality across the country.

Beyond enhancing television access, the transition will enable multilingual broadcasting to reflect Angola’s linguistic diversity and integrate emergency alert systems for disaster prevention and weather warnings. The program will unfold in three phases: planning, infrastructure development with equipment supply, and public awareness campaigns to encourage adoption of the new system.

With internet and mobile penetration still below 40 percent in Angola, television remains a crucial medium for communication. This investment is therefore expected to play a central role in ensuring that reliable information reaches citizens nationwide.