In brief
Gabriela Cibils aims to transform Paraguay into a prominent tech hub, leveraging the nation's abundant hydroelectric power and youthful population. With support from the government and private sector, Paraguay is positioning itself as an attractive destination for tech investments, particularly in AI and data processing. Ongoing initiatives include a new digital park and education programs aimed at producing skilled workers, despite challenges like bureaucratic barriers. Cibils believes that innovation can help Paraguay emerge as a tech superpower in the region.
Gabriela Cibils is on a mission – to help turn Paraguay into the Silicon Valley of South America.
Growing up in Paraguay, a country not traditionally focused on technology, she was inspired by her tech-oriented parents and pursued studies in computing and neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley. Her eight years in Silicon Valley solidified her vision to return and cultivate a tech-rich environment in her homeland.
As the partner at the global technology firm Cibersons, Cibils is leading initiatives to establish Paraguay as a major player in the tech industry, focusing on attracting foreign investments from leading companies.
Paraguay has a unique advantage with its abundant, affordable, and renewable electricity generated entirely from hydroelectric power, primarily from the Itaipu Dam, which meets most of the nation’s energy consumption needs.
The government aims to leverage this surplus energy to entice firms that demand significant power for operations, especially in AI and data processing.[...]
Efforts are underway to develop a new tech park and enhance education in technology, with a particular focus on increasing the number of trained professionals in software development, including initiatives to close the gender gap in tech fields.
Despite acknowledging the challenges posed by local bureaucracy, Cibils maintains that with a focus on innovation and strategic investment, Paraguay can position itself as a prominent tech superpower in South America.
