Gabriela Cibils is on a mission – to help turn Paraguay into the Silicon Valley of South America.
When she was growing up in the landlocked country, nestled between Brazil and Argentina, she says the nation wasn't super tech focused.
But it was different for Ms. Cibils, as her parents worked in the technology sector. Inspired, she studied at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a degree in computing and neuroscience.
Following eight years in Silicon Valley working at various start-ups, she returned to Paraguay to lead efforts to establish a tech sector that can attract global tech giants.
“I saw firsthand the impact that technology can have on your life,” she states, emphasizing the need to merge global tech mindsets with local talent.
Paraguay's advantage lies in its vast supply of cheap, renewable energy sourced from hydroelectric power, most notably from the Itaipu Dam, providing 90% of the country's electricity.
Paraguay is not just self-sufficient in energy but also the largest exporter of clean energy in the world, making it attractive for tech firms focused on energy-intensive operations.
The government aims to leverage this energy surplus to draw international tech companies, especially those in AI computing.
With a youthful workforce – the average age is just 27 – and collaborative initiatives fostering tech training, Paraguay is igniting a tech revolution.
However, challenges remain, including bureaucratic hurdles affecting foreign investment. Despite this, Cibils believes in Paraguay's potential to emerge as a tech superpower, stating, If you put innovation at its core and leverage all the benefits that the country has, I think Paraguay can be a superpower.\
