Paraguay is positioning itself as South America’s next big technology hub, with leaders and entrepreneurs working together to attract global investment.
At the forefront is Gabriela Cibils, a tech entrepreneur who spent eight years in Silicon Valley before returning home. She believes Paraguay can rise as a digital power if it builds on its natural advantages. “If you put innovation at its core and leverage all the benefits that the country has, I think Paraguay can be a superpower,” she says.
Paraguay’s biggest strength lies in its abundant green energy. The Itaipu Dam, one of the world’s largest hydroelectric plants, produces 90% of the country’s electricity needs and exports clean energy to Brazil. This makes Paraguay the world’s largest exporter of renewable energy and gives it some of the lowest electricity costs in South America.
Government officials are eager to use that advantage. President Santiago Peña and Technology Minister Gustavo Villate are courting tech giants like Google and OpenAI to set up operations. A new Digital Park near Asunción’s airport is being developed to attract investors, with the first phase expected within two years.
Industry leaders like Vanessa Cañete, head of Paraguay’s Software Chamber, say the country’s young population and growing number of programmers make it ideal for tech growth. Initiatives such as Girls Code aim to train more women in programming and robotics.
Despite challenges like bureaucracy and investor “growing pains,” optimism remains high. Paraguay’s journey from energy exporter to tech innovator may just be beginning.
