IBM helps Angola develop smart healthcare, education capabilities

A team of IBM specialists has presented recommendations to Angolan authorities on a range of issues aimed at supporting Angola’s drive for economic and social transformation. These include academic training, technical skills development, and healthcare management strategies.
The team’s month-long, pro bono consulting assignment in the capital of Luanda saw them working on several projects at the country’s Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Higher Education and other agencies responsible for healthcare delivery, academic accreditation, vocational training, and education standards monitoring.

The 13-person IBM team, from eight countries, was the second group since 2011 to provide assistance to Angola as part of IBM’s Corporate Service Corps, which provides problem-solving support to educational institutions, small businesses, non-governmental organizations, and governmental agencies in emerging markets. Africa has become a strong focus for IBM’s Corporate Service Corps as IBM expands its operations across the continent and forges new strategic relationships with governments, clients and not-for-profit organizations.

Other organizations with which IBM worked in Angola included the Institute for Training of Local Administrators (IFAL), the National Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (INEFOP) and the National Institute for Assessment Accreditations and Approval of Higher Education Degrees, Diplomas and Courses (INAAREES), whose mandate includes certification of higher studies in Angola.

Currently ranked as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, Angola has achieved a major decline in poverty rates in recent years, according to the World Bank. Keen to reverse decades of underdevelopment and skills shortages, the Government of Angola has stipulated higher education benchmarks and milestones in its Vision 2025 agenda, its blueprint for growth and national development.

“Angola is on the verge of a new dawn,” said Mr. Carlos Alberto Masseca, Angola’s State Secretary for Health. “Notwithstanding the tough global investment climate, we continue to attract investments into key economic sectors such as health, construction, education, and transportation. We truly appreciate the collaboration with IBM’s Corporate Service Corps program and the Ministry of Health Angola (MINSA).”

IBM presented its recommendations and findings to four clients, which included:

The Ministry of Health: an IBM team established strategies to decrease inefficiencies in the nation’s hospital management system. The team made recommendations for hospital funding models, identifying pros and cons of each model, taking local environmental, socio-economic and cultural realities into account.

Institute for Training of Local Administrators (IFAL): IBM recommended a monitoring and evaluation system to measure the impact of training programs for local government officials across municipalities in Angola. The team implemented a training program complete with tools and methodologies for data gathering, which will inform ongoing training curricula and processes, and help identify key performance indicators needed for future planning.

National Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (INEFOP): IBM helped develop a system for the delivery of vocational training and a roadmap for the collation of data on employment and vocational training across Angola’s 18 provinces and the General Directorate in Luanda. The system, coupled with other recommendations, will help INEFOP to accurately report statistical data on activities at 181 employment and training centers across Angola. This information is a crucial ingredient for decision making pertaining to fiscal planning, training resource management and training delivery. Also included was a blueprint for a proposed digital library to be accessed by INEFOP provincial centers.

National Institute for Assessment Accreditations and Approval of Higher Education Degrees, Diplomas and Courses (INAAREES): IBM’s recommendations for INAAREES were consistent with Angola’s Vision 2025 long range plan. The IBM team developed a road map for setting up cost effective procedures and processes of academic accreditation, and made recommendations to help automate, accelerate, and evaluate certification and accreditation of studies. In addition, the team helped define a technology-based solution for better coordination between INAAREES departments.

“Proactive policy design, planning and execution has been the hallmark of the Angolan government for many years,” said Paulo Falcao, IBM’s Country General Manager for Angola. “IBM’s latest contribution to this economic transformation agenda will help instill sound management strategies and ensure there will always be a pipeline of skilled citizens who will maintain and manage Angola’s healthcare systems and infrastructure across the country.”

The Corporate Service Corps Program is a powerful way for IBM to provide national, municipal, civic and social institutions across emerging markets with the same expertise that the company provides to its commercial clients.

IBM opened an office in Angola in 2011. The company has been a key contributor to the country’s ongoing technology advancement and continues to support government and private firms across a range of sectors and industries, including the banking, oil and gas, telecommunications, mining, construction, and public sectors.