By Tomás Alberto
Africa-Press – Angola. With the acceleration of the digital age, the world is witnessing the consolidation of a new world order—more complex, more interconnected, and profoundly marked by technological and financial hegemony. In this new configuration, power relations are not measured solely by weapons or territories, but by the capacity to control data, platforms, and digital currencies.
The new world order is digital
The expression “world order” has always been associated with the economic and financial domination of some nations over others. Today, this hegemony manifests itself in cyberspace. Political decisions, financial flows, social debates, and even conflicts are mediated by digital platforms—almost all based outside of Angola and the African continent.In this new scenario, everything is done remotely: shopping, meetings, political campaigns, bank transfers, social mobilizations. And the more we depend on these tools, the more urgent it becomes to guarantee digital sovereignty—that is, to protect citizens’ data and ensure that the use of these platforms respects national interests.
Cybersecurity demands competitiveness
Legislation is not enough. Cybersecurity will only be effective if it is accompanied by technological and institutional competitiveness. The national cyberspace cannot be protected without protecting the data of the citizens who inhabit it. And data cannot be protected without influencing the platforms that store it.
The motivation for digital use and the means used by internet users must go hand in hand. Protecting data is protecting the economy, finances, and social stability.
The cost of digital dependence
Developing countries cannot afford to fully participate in the programs of some developed nations. This is because, from the point of view of monetary sovereignty, there is a structural difference:
– International digital platforms accept the euro as a payment currency, which protects European monetary stability and allows for local tax collection.
– In Brazil, internet users who request services in Brazilian cyberspace pay in reais, which guarantees internal capital circulation and contributes to the national economy.
In Angola, however, payment for digital services is made exclusively in foreign currency (US dollars and euros), which generates three serious disadvantages to national sovereignty:
1 – Financial: Evasion of foreign currency and lack of tax collection on revenues generated in national cyberspace.
2 – Monetary sovereignty: Impossibility of using the kwanza as a digital payment currency, weakening its circulation and value.
3 – Digital Security: Without local representation of the platforms, there is no way to enforce national data protection laws, leaving citizens vulnerable.
Instability and lack of control
The case of President Donald Trump, in his first term, who was banned from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube for inciting violence, shows how quickly platforms can act when they are based in their countries.
In Angola, we recently faced an attempt to mobilize social instability initiated on Facebook and WhatsApp. Because we do not have branches of these platforms in the country, we were unable to act with the same effectiveness. We lacked the power to inhibit content that threatened the rule of law and public security.
The example of China
China understood the game of the new world order early on. It created its own platforms—WeChat (calling and SMS application), TikTok (social network), and also several easy-to-use streaming applications—guaranteeing national alternatives for its citizens. In doing so, it protects its economy, its currency, and its digital sovereignty.
What Angola Needs to Do
Angola needs to project itself towards digital competitiveness. This means:
– Creating a legal and fiscal environment that attracts headquarters and branches of large platforms.
– Requiring payments to be made in kwanzas.
– Ensuring that the data of Angolan citizens is protected by national laws.
– Investing in its own digital solutions, which serve the interests of the country and not just foreign algorithms.
– Guaranteeing national alternatives for its citizens.
The new world order is already underway — and it is digital. The sovereignty of states, especially developing countries, will depend on their ability to protect their data, their currency, and their narrative in cyberspace.
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