In 2015, the startup created a business model based on setting up free internet access points. To use the internet, users must first watch an advertisement. Today, the company’s core has evolved into analytics — valuable assets for organizations in the era of Industry 4.0.
The Angolan startup WiConnect made history in the country’s tech entrepreneurship ecosystem by securing external funding of USD 2.5 million — a significant achievement given the challenging access to foreign investment for small businesses. With this funding, the company plans to add 500 more free internet access points over the next two years across the country’s 326 municipalities to expand connectivity and promote digitalization.
Founded in 2015 by Paulo Araújo and Francisco Caculo, the company received funding from High Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI) from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Portugal. The startup is currently present in all of Angola’s provinces, with more than 800 access points installed throughout the country. These installations were made possible through partnerships with private institutions and the government’s AngolaOnline initiative, which aims to provide free internet access in strategic locations by connecting to Angosat II. With the projected expansion through 2027, the company may reach over 1,300 free internet access points.
“In terms of partners, we already work with BAI, Unitel, and also with INFOSI (National Institute for the Promotion of the Information Society) through the AngolaOnline project, as well as with INAPEM and many other private and governmental partners. There are already more than 800 points, but that’s still not enough for our country, which is huge,” explained Paulo Araújo, who left a banking career to fully dedicate himself to WiConnect.
Currently, Angola has an internet coverage rate of 36%, below the African average of around 40%, according to data from the German analytics platform Statista. This low rate is attributed to underdeveloped infrastructure and the population’s low purchasing power.
In 2015, when WiConnect was founded, the penetration rate was even lower. The startup therefore created a model offering free internet access points. To access the internet, users must first watch an ad. “The ads can be from banks, insurance companies, or even government announcements. After watching the ad, the person gets 30 minutes of internet access. When that time ends, access is blocked and a new ad is shown, unlocking another 30 minutes,” the entrepreneur explained.
However, the business model goes beyond ad placements — it was also designed to conduct surveys and build databases on consumer habits, assess service satisfaction levels, or convey government or corporate messages. In essence, WiConnect’s business is delivering processed data to its partners.
In the beginning, ad placements were the startup’s main source of revenue. Paulo Araújo recalls: “We were almost forced into that model because, back in 2015–2016, there were no online payment solutions like we have today. We realized we’d need someone at each internet point selling access vouchers, which wasn’t feasible. Then we saw the market potential — companies need to communicate with potential customers, and people in Angola need internet. That’s when we combined the two problems and created what is now WiConnect.”
Contributing to Digitalization
Internet access is a fundamental requirement for the digitalization of public administration, the economy, and digital inclusion in the country. The 2023–2027 National Development Plan sets a target of 50% digitalization of public services by 2027. Angola is among the most underdeveloped countries in the UN’s E-Government Development Index (EGDI), ranking 156th out of 193 countries. This reality creates a window of opportunity in the national market, and WiConnect aims to position itself as a strategic partner for both the state and private companies.
“We are ready for the goals of the National Development Plan and the Free Telecommunications Bank initiative, which aim to boost digitalization in the country. With this, we can enable payments, improve service delivery in healthcare and other sectors. For instance, our first major client was Unitel. We carried out a project for them during the Covid-19 period, installing Wi-Fi in 110 public hospitals. This was part of the operator’s social responsibility strategy. It was a very successful project. It worked really well and, I believe, was advantageous for Unitel,” he revealed.
Source: Expansão
