The development of a regional hub
As General Manager of Internet Technologies Angola, S.A., Francisco Pinto Leite knows how to open doors and how to catalyze the creation of a strategic Hub for telecommunications in his country.
The Pan-African Paratus Telecommunications Group is one of the fastest growing companies in Africa and it all started in Angola.
As General Manager of Internet Technologies Angola, S.A., Francisco Pinto Leite knows how to take advantage of Angola's strategically important geographical position in order to meet the Angolan Executive's strategy for creating a telecommunications hub in the country. This initiative makes a significant contribution to the company's aim of expanding its network throughout Africa.
Eleven years ago, when he agreed to join Internet Technologies Angola, Francisco thought he would stay for a year, but the business and its dynamic culture captivated him and continue to do so, as does the spirit of technological advancement and the pace of change. Over the last decade, he has overseen important projects in Angola, including the construction of two datacenters and a teleport. These initiatives have been crucial to the Paratus Group's strategy of establishing an important telecommunications hub in the country. Of particular note are multiple strategic partnerships and joint ventures in neighboring countries, driving the development of the regional "Hub", including the agreement with EutelSat - OneWeb, a global LEO satellite operator.
As a veteran of the Angolan War, Francisco is very disciplined and believes that routine, teamwork and mutual respect are essential for delivering a quality service. A few days after joining the company, he organized an internal meeting. When some people arrived late, he closed the door. His team quickly learned the importance of punctuality and respect. Francisco manages a team of 238 people and is always there to support them. He believes that a motivated and happy team is crucial to maintaining high quality standards, of which he is also an absolute advocate.
Working with Grupo Paratus makes things a little easier. Internet Technologies Angola and the Paratus Group are committed to building and ensuring the sustainability of a quality telecommunications infrastructure in Africa. Since the group owns its own infrastructure and already has an impressive presence in Africa, our plans in Angola are on the right track. The "Hub" project aims to establish more cross-border connections between neighboring countries and increase the volume of network traffic.
Francisco was born in Kalandula, which he describes as one of the most beautiful places in the world. The war forced his family to move to Luanda in 1975, where he graduated. He studied Telecommunications at the University of Luanda, before joining the army and working as a telecommunications engineer. In very harsh and strenuous circumstances, the need for flexibility, teamwork and shared responsibility were engrained in his personality and these principles guide his daily work ethic. "I learned to put on other people's shoes during the war and in my army days - and I believe this is invaluable learning for everyday life."
If at the beginning of his work at Internet Technologies Angola he had to rule with an "iron hand", today he has a fair and flexible hand in everything he does. Francisco knows the value of communication and, by understanding the challenges his teams face, by being there to solve problems and challenges collectively, he has created a team that works together with respect, trust and enthusiasm. And he states: "They know that my door is always open to them. They know that I'm on their side, working with them and looking after them.."
Despite having faced serious economic challenges over the last few years, the most recent being the drastic devaluation of the kwanza against the US dollar in 2022, Francisco remains optimistic and determined. "The team has weathered the storm and we continue to expand and build infrastructure. This means that we are better positioned than most of our competitors who have chosen not to invest in recent years."
In his work and in his private life, Francisco Pinto Leite is humble. His two daughters, in their 20s, have taught him many things, but it is his eight-year-old son who now takes on the role of teacher.
Father and son love watching soccer together and are delighted that their team, Sporting Clube de Portugal (SCP), was recently crowned champions of the Portuguese Football League. As an enthusiastic spectator, Francisco may not be a player on the pitch, but he scores a lot of goals in the telecommunications business.
