Paraguay: Pioneering the Future as South America's Silicon Valley

Wed Oct 22 2025 01:38:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Under the leadership of tech innovators like Gabriela Cibils, Paraguay aims to transform its tech landscape by leveraging its abundant renewable energy. As the country strives to become a hub for technology and innovation, it faces both challenges and optimism in attracting global tech firms.

Gabriela Cibils, a prominent technology leader, is spearheading efforts to establish Paraguay as the Silicon Valley of South America. With a rich supply of green electricity generated largely from the Itaipu Dam, the country is positioning itself to attract major tech investments. Despite hurdles, Paraguay's young population and governmental support could make it a key player in the global tech arena.

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 pursued a degree in computing and neuroscience from the University of California, Berkeley.

After graduating, she spent eight years in Silicon Valley, near San Francisco, but returned to Paraguay to help build a vibrant tech sector that will put the country of seven million people on the global map.

Ms Cibils has joined a technology investment firm headquartered in Asunción, capital of Paraguay, where she aims to attract big tech players from the US and beyond.

I saw firsthand the impact technology can have on your life, says Ms Cibils. After being exposed to such a different world [in Silicon Valley], it's my responsibility to bring that mindset back and combine it with the talent I see in Paraguay.

Paraguay's unique position lies in its abundant green electricity. The Itaipu Dam, located on the Paraná River, generates 90% of Paraguay's electricity needs, making the nation the world's largest exporter of clean energy.

Government officials believe this surplus electricity will become a critical draw for global tech firms focused on the energy demands of AI and other heavy computational tasks.

While significant challenges, such as bureaucratic hurdles, remain, the government is optimistic about transforming Paraguay into a thriving technological powerhouse. Initiatives such as the development of a new digital park aim to create an ecosystem for tech growth, particularly aiming to educate and employ the country's young workforce.

With a median age of just 27, Paraguay hopes to leverage its youth, abundant resources, and international collaborations to carve out a niche in the rapidly evolving tech industry.

As advocates like Vanessa Cañete work tirelessly to improve tech education and gender representation in the field, the future looks promising for Paraguay's aspiration to become a leading tech destination.