In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Airtel-Helios Towers partnership has led to the leasing of over 2,000 telecom towers in Kinshasa, the capital. The two companies celebrated the milestone on December 16. Augustin Kibassa Maliba, the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital, was present. The official reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an environment that fosters digital development in the country.

Minister Kibassa Maliba lauded the partnership, saying it will enhance network coverage in the capital. "We are working hard to improve the regulatory framework and invest in critical telecommunications infrastructure to enable digital inclusion," he declared. 

According to him, the authorities are committed to introducing a pro-digital regulatory framework focusing on acquiring specialized skills, promoting local innovations, and supporting youth entrepreneurship. 

The Global System Operators Association (GSMA) ranks the DRC among the 41 African nations with low digital development; a situation the Association attributes to an unfavorable policy and regulatory environment. The government has recognized the need for regulatory reforms tailored to the telecom and digital sectors, which it considers essential for economic growth and diversification.

Among the challenges faced by these countries are political and regulatory obstacles, including the lack of an effective universal service fund, a strong telecom regulator, and clarity in areas such as data protection and cybersecurity. Additionally, high sector-specific taxes, incomplete allocation of telecom frequencies, and prohibitions on leasing or selling frequencies hinder progress. The government also faces high spectrum usage fees and burdensome rights-of-way fees for fiber optic infrastructure.

Kibassa Maliba presented the political and regulatory environment he promises investors as one of the pillars "of the foundations of a prosperous digital Congo—a Congo where every citizen will be able to access digital services, where businesses will be able to innovate and grow, and where our country will be able to play an increasingly important role in the global economy."

Muriel Edjo