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DIGITAL

DIGITAL (66)

CRDB Bank Congo, the Congolese subsidiary of Tanzania's CRDB Bank Group, launched the TemboCard Visa in Kinshasa on April 10, 2026. The launch was held in partnership with Visa, the global digital payments company, as the banking sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo accelerates digitalization.

Backed by the international Visa network, the TemboCard enables secure payments domestically and internationally, both online and at point-of-sale terminals. Cardholders can also withdraw cash from compatible ATMs.

The product is offered in two tiers: a Classic Visa card targeting the general public and a Gold version aimed at wealthier clients. The bank said it intends to serve a diverse customer base ranging from individuals to businesses.

Patient Mwenze, deputy chief executive of CRDB Bank Congo, said the product is part of a strategy to modernize the bank's offering and encourage the use of electronic payments in a market still dominated by cash. He added that the card is designed to give Congolese clients access to financial services usable worldwide.

"Wherever you are, you can use the TemboCard to make payments online, at payment terminals or ATMs, whether locally or internationally. We are opening the DRC to the world. This supports financial inclusion," he said.

Sophie Kafuti, country manager of Visa DRC, said the launch is aimed at supporting the shift away from cash by enabling faster, traceable and more secure payments. She said the initiative would help expand access to formal financial services in a largely informal economy.

"We want to create a cashless economy that promotes transparency, security and speed of payments. The goal is above all to strengthen financial inclusion. CRDB, a Tanzanian bank, has chosen the DRC to broaden access to financial services and help transform an ecosystem that remains largely informal," she said.

CRDB Bank has been present in the DRC for two years, first opening in Lubumbashi. In December 2025, it opened a branch in the Gombe commune of Kinshasa as part of an effort to expand its customer base and diversify its revenue streams.

According to the bank's Pillar 3 report for the first half of 2025, its activity is still heavily reliant on Treasury bill income, which generated approximately 8 billion Congolese francs out of a net banking income of 10.4 billion, representing nearly 77 percent of the total. Revenue from client-related operations, including loans, stood at 1.6 billion Congolese francs, or about 15.6 percent of the total.

Ronsard Luabeya

Posted On samedi, 11 avril 2026 18:57 Written by

Fonds de promotion de l'industrie (FPI), a state-owned fund that finances industrial projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, launched its integrated management system (ERP) on April 8 in Kinshasa as part of efforts to modernize and streamline its operations.

The digital platform is designed to automate processes and centralize operations, with the institution saying it will help improve performance, enhance transparency and optimize costs.

Director General Hervé Claude Ntumba Batukonke said the system replaces previously fragmented processes, marking a shift toward more structured and efficient operations. He added that it would help the FPI better organize its data flows and strengthen monitoring of its activities.

Developed with support from Tunisian firm Système Informatique de Gestion Automatisée (SIGA), the platform covers several core functions, including managing financing applications, tracking disbursements and projects, handling debt collection, overseeing the industrial development tax, as well as accounting, treasury, financial reporting, internal controls and risk management.

According to Stéphane Tshitende, director of information systems and project manager, the system also improves connectivity with partners, giving project developers and eligible companies real-time access to their financial information.

The launch follows several months of development. In October 2025, the FPI said the project was progressing with SIGA, which had been selected through an international tender, and identified digital transformation as a key priority.

The initiative aligns with the institution’s 2026–2028 action plan, which sets out a roadmap focused on improving institutional performance and modernizing management tools.

With the new system, the FPI aims to strengthen operational monitoring and improve visibility over the delivery of its mandate.

Ronsard Luabeya

Posted On vendredi, 10 avril 2026 15:01 Written by

DR Congo's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications signed a memorandum of understanding with Unicom Airnet, a subsidiary of state-owned operator China Unicom, on April 7, 2026, in China, for the construction of a telecommunications satellite. According to an official statement, the agreement aims to "support digital sovereignty and improve national connectivity."

For similar objectives, the Democratic Republic of Congo had already signed a memorandum of understanding with Monacosat in November 2024. In September 2025, a representative of the Monaco-based operator, Jean-Philippe Anvam, was received in Kinshasa by President Félix Tshisekedi. At that meeting, officials said the satellite project was valued at $400 million. "The funds are available through a partner bank," Anvam said at the time.

No final contract has been disclosed so far, leaving its implementation uncertain.

In this context, the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Unicom Airnet adds a new dimension. Such agreements are generally non-binding frameworks that allow parties to define the technical and financial parameters of a project without committing to execution.

The Chinese group has strong industrial capabilities in telecommunications. Unicom Airnet describes itself as a satellite services platform backed by China Unicom, one of China's three major state-owned operators.

Congolese authorities have not specified whether this Chinese track replaces, complements or competes with the project led by Monacosat. The lack of official clarification creates uncertainty over the program’s direction, which is part of a broader digital sovereignty strategy.

The government is seeking to reduce dependence on foreign infrastructure by developing its own satellite capabilities, as connectivity needs grow rapidly.

Pierre Mukoko

Posted On mercredi, 08 avril 2026 11:00 Written by

Telecom tower operator Helios Towers on Tuesday announced a $100 million expansion program to extend its network coverage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aiming to improve access to telecommunications services, particularly in underserved areas.

The National Investment Promotion Agency (ANAPI) is backing the program under an agreement signed with Helios Towers DRC. The agency said it supports investment through an integrated framework covering all stages of a project, from design to implementation.

According to ANAPI, the expansion will span 23 provinces, including Kinshasa, Haut-Katanga, Kongo Central, Maniema, Ituri, Kasai Central, Kasai Oriental, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, Lualaba, Tanganyika, Equateur, Haut-Uele and Kasai.

Improving coverage and service adoption

The move comes as authorities seek to expand network coverage and boost telecom service adoption as part of their digital transformation agenda. In 2024, 2G, 3G and 4G networks covered 75%, 55% and 45% of the population respectively, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Mobile penetration stood at 44.3%, compared with 19.7% for internet use.

The company did not disclose detailed figures for the investment. Helios Towers operates by building, acquiring and managing shared telecom towers that host multiple operators. It provides passive infrastructure and energy services, including site acquisition, construction, maintenance, security and power management.

Our infrastructure-sharing model helps MNOs expand and densify networks more quickly and at lower cost, while reducing emissions - accelerating digital inclusion for millions of people,” the company says on its website.

Expanding network coverage can drive adoption by improving both access and service quality. Extending infrastructure into rural and underserved areas enables first-time access to voice and internet services, while densifying networks in existing areas reduces congestion and improves reliability.

A model at the core of public strategy

The model is also supported by Congolese authorities and sits at the centre of the Universal Service Development Fund’s (FDSU) 2026-2035 strategy. Known as “TowerCo Lead,” the approach promotes tower companies that finance and deploy passive infrastructure — including towers, energy and backhaul — on an open-access basis. Mobile operators then install active equipment to deliver services. The goal is to connect nearly 68 million people, mainly in rural areas.

Authorities favour this approach for its economic efficiency, given the scale of the digital divide. According to the GSMA, the DRC has one of the world’s largest coverage gaps: 46% of the population lacks mobile broadband access, while 25% have no mobile coverage at all, including 2G.

The GSMA notes that expanding into so-called “white zones” requires sharply higher investment. Increasing coverage from 75% to 80% of the population requires about 150 new sites. Reaching 95% would require nearly 5,700 sites, while moving from 98% to 99% would need more than 2,000 additional sites. This makes extending coverage to remote areas particularly costly due to low population density.

Posted On mercredi, 01 avril 2026 17:12 Written by

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s digital economy minister has introduced a new regulatory framework for certain digital activities and services in the country.

In an order signed on March 11, 2026, Digital Economy Minister Augustin Kibassa Maliba outlined the procedures for reviewing applications and granting authorizations for activities requiring prior approval under the Digital Code.

The order provides a transitional period until June 30, 2026, for affected operators to comply with the new requirements. From July 1, 2026, the provisions will take full effect.

The measure does not apply to all digital operators. It covers only activities and services that require authorization.

Affected entities include operators building data centers; qualified trust service providers (including electronic signatures, seals, timestamping, archiving, certification, website authentication, electronic registered mail and cryptology); application hosting providers; certain large digital platforms such as cloud services, online marketplaces, app stores, social networks, content-sharing platforms, online banking platforms, fintech firms, matchmaking platforms and search engines; as well as essential digital services.

During the transition period, responsibility for processing authorization applications has been assigned to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Congo (ARPTC). The regulator will verify the completeness and compliance of application files, assess applicants’ legal, technical, organizational and financial capacity, and issue a recommendation to the minister, who retains final decision-making authority.

Authorizations valid for five years

To obtain authorization, applicants must submit a file including legal, tax, technical and administrative documents, a detailed description of the relevant activities, and a business plan.

Authorizations are valid for five years and may be renewed. They do not exempt holders from complying with other applicable legal and regulatory obligations.

The order also includes administrative sanctions in cases of non-compliance, including fines, reduced validity periods, suspension or withdrawal of authorization. Operating without the required authorization may also expose operators to penalties under existing legislation.

Through this order, the government aims to implement the Digital Code and tighten oversight of segments of Congo’s digital economy deemed strategic or sensitive.

Posted On mercredi, 18 mars 2026 14:53 Written by

The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARMP) published a decision on March 4, 2026, concerning the contract for the acquisition and installation of equipment to digitize payments for the Infrastructure Development Tax, known as the Go-Pass. According to the document, the contract was awarded to Mayeles SAS for a total amount of $4.069 million including tax. The decision was signed on March 2, 2026 by Blaise Londole Lokoy, Director General of the Régie des Voies Aériennes (RVA), the state-owned company that manages airports in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The award remains provisional. Under Congolese public procurement rules, unsuccessful bidders have five business days to file an appeal. If no appeal is submitted, or once any challenges are reviewed, the award may become final and the contract can be signed.

The project stems from an international tender launched by the RVA on September 23, 2025, for the supply of machinery, hardware and software to digitize the collection of the airport tax. The initiative aims to replace the current collection system, which relies on paper coupons issued to passengers after payment.

Addressing systemic revenue leakage

The manual system has frequently been criticized for control failures. These include booklets with identical serial numbers in circulation, parallel coupon issuance channels, and persistent difficulties in tracking the total revenue generated by the tax.

During the Makutano Forum in November 2025, Transport Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba said two banks had submitted offers to finance the digitalization project. He presented the reform as a way to secure Go-Pass revenue by allowing passengers to pay electronically and obtain a QR code for airport inspections.

Under the planned system, electronic gates will allow travelers to scan their QR codes before accessing boarding areas. The mechanism is intended to ensure direct tracking of payments by the RVA.

Official documents do not provide detailed information about Mayeles SAS. However, public business registries indicate that a company with the same name, established in 2019 and registered in Créteil, France, has been listed as dissolved since July 8, 2025. That entity operated in the rental and leasing of personal and household goods. These details relate to the French-registered company and do not rule out the existence of other companies using the same name in other jurisdictions.

Authorities have not disclosed how many airports will be covered by the contract awarded to Mayeles SAS. The transport minister previously indicated that the digital Go-Pass system would first be deployed at the country’s international airports.

Timothée Manoke

Posted On mardi, 10 mars 2026 08:39 Written by

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is among six African countries selected for pilot projects aimed at developing affordable 4G smartphones. The initiative is led by the GSMA, the global association representing mobile network operators and industry players, and organizer of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.

Announced during MWC 2026, the project also involves Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. These countries will serve as test markets for entry-level smartphones priced between $30 and $40, with the aim of reducing one of the main barriers to digital adoption in Africa: the cost of devices.

The initiative was discussed during a roundtable held on March 2 at MWC 2026. The Congolese Minister of Digital Economy, Augustin Kibassa Maliba, said he attended the meeting. According to a statement from the ministry, the GSMA is advocating for a coalition of governments, telecom operators and manufacturers to lower smartphone prices.

The ministry also mentioned a proposal to reduce taxes on entry-level smartphones, potentially shifting part of the tax burden toward higher-end devices.

Bridging the digital gap

According to the Regulatory Authority of the Post and Telecommunications of Congo (ARPTC), mobile penetration in the DRC reached about 65% at the end of September 2025, while mobile internet penetration stood at just over 32%. The gap suggests that network coverage is expanding faster than smartphone adoption, largely due to low purchasing power.

The Minister of Digital Economy said lower device prices could expand the user base, boost data consumption and ultimately increase revenue from digital services.

ARPTC data show that mobile internet is gaining weight in the telecom sector. In the third quarter of 2025, the segment generated more than $335 million and accounted for nearly 55% of total mobile market revenue.

However, the initiative’s impact remains uncertain. Its success will depend on several factors, including the level of taxes applied to devices, manufacturers’ ability to meet price targets amid rising component costs, and the speed of commercial rollout in pilot countries.

Augustin Kibassa Maliba said the government plans to work with relevant ministries and telecom operators to develop a balanced fiscal framework aimed at expanding digital access without reducing government revenue.

For the DRC, the challenge will now be to translate its inclusion in the African pilot program into concrete measures on pricing, distribution and effective access to mobile internet.

Timothée Manoke

Posted On vendredi, 06 mars 2026 18:26 Written by

State Minister and Justice Minister Guillaume Ngefa Atondoko Andali has called on judicial authorities to ensure effective prosecution of offenses committed online.

In a statement dated March 3, 2026, the ministry said Congolese cyberspace is fully subject to national law and cannot be a lawless zone.

The document said the use of digital platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, X and WhatsApp must comply strictly with the laws of the Republic, particularly the Digital Code and the Penal Code.

While noting that freedom of expression, guaranteed by the Constitution, protects criticism and public debate, including when they are “lively or controversial,” the communiqué stressed that this freedom does not extend to acts that constitute criminal offenses or abuse the rights of others, threaten public order, or undermine human dignity.

The minister instructed prosecutors general at the courts of appeal, public prosecutors and senior auditors of military jurisdictions to ensure that digital offenses are effectively prosecuted. He said any action must be based on a clear legal foundation, be legally justified and remain strictly proportionate to the alleged facts. Measures taken must also respect the right to a fair trial and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s international human rights obligations.

The communiqué listed criminal offenses including defamation, spreading false information, harassment, threats, insults, incitement to hatred, and violations of privacy and human dignity.

It also said that, when legal requirements are met, authorities may order the removal, blocking or suspension of clearly illegal content. Such measures must remain subject to judicial oversight and must not infringe fundamental freedoms.

Judicial authorities were also urged to activate international cooperation mechanisms when alleged perpetrators are outside national territory, in accordance with conventions ratified by the DRC. They were further asked to ensure effective protection of victims by conducting investigations promptly, guaranteeing confidentiality where required and preventing further victimization.

The statement comes as President Félix Tshisekedi recently called for stronger oversight of social networks, including better public awareness of laws governing the digital space.

Boaz Kabeya

Posted On mercredi, 04 mars 2026 11:55 Written by

DR Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi has instructed the government to tighten regulation of social media platforms to curb abuses, according to a statement issued after a cabinet meeting.

The directive was announced at the 80th ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Feb. 27 in Kinshasa.

Tshisekedi tasked the justice minister and the minister of digital economy with proposing and implementing measures to promote responsible and ethical use of social media, in consultation with relevant agencies.

The measures could include, if necessary, “proportionate restrictive measures in accordance with the law, while respecting fundamental freedoms,” according to cabinet minutes read by Digital Economy Minister Augustin Kibassa Maliba.

The move comes as internet and social media use continues to expand in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to DataReportal, the number of internet users rose from 21.14 million in 2021 to 34.7 million at the start of 2026, an increase of 64.1%, bringing penetration to an estimated 30.5%. Over the same period, social media users increased from 4 million to 10.4 million.

Authorities say that, rather than serving exclusively positive purposes, social media platforms are increasingly being used to spread disinformation, fuel public disorder, promote hate speech, manipulate opinion and incite division, undermining national cohesion and social stability.

The decision also comes amid persistent security challenges in several provinces, with security issues among the most debated topics online.

Raise awareness and enforce the Digital Code

Central to the president’s message is the need to strengthen awareness and enforcement of the Digital Code, adopted to regulate the use of digital platforms in the country. Tshisekedi said the law already provides mechanisms to prevent, regulate and punish online abuses, but is not widely known or consistently enforced.

The communication and media minister has been tasked, in coordination with public and private operators, with running ongoing public awareness campaigns. Magistrates will also be targeted under the supervision of the Superior Council of the Judiciary to ensure consistent and deterrent enforcement.

Beyond regulation, the government is turning to education. The ministries of national and higher education have been instructed to gradually introduce modules on digital responsibility into school curricula. Training programs are also expected to address issues related to social media and artificial intelligence.

Relevant ministers must submit a detailed report every 15 days outlining actions taken, results achieved and any challenges encountered to allow for monitoring and evaluation. Details of how the measures will be implemented remain unclear.

Isaac K. Kassouwi, with Ecofin Agency

Posted On lundi, 02 mars 2026 09:04 Written by

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon have signed an agreement to develop mobile roaming services between the two countries.

The memorandum of understanding was signed on Feb. 19, 2026, on the sidelines of the 10th ordinary session of the regulators’ conference held in Kinshasa, according to the Congolese Press Agency (ACP).

The agreement aims to allow users to make calls, send text messages and use mobile data in the other country through a partner network without changing their phone numbers.

Christian Katende, head of Congo’s Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPTC), said the cooperation is intended to improve user mobility and lower the cost of cross-border communications, with the goal of strengthening connectivity between the two countries, ACP reported.

The protocol was initialed by the heads of the two regulatory bodies, ARPTC for Congo and ARCEP for Gabon, according to Congolese media reports.

No timeline has been announced for implementation. Lower-cost roaming typically requires technical coordination and pricing agreements between operators, including reduced roaming fees or harmonized tariffs, depending on the terms negotiated.

The initiative comes amid a broader regional push. In Central Africa, the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) relaunched efforts in March 2025 to introduce free roaming, meaning services without extra charges, and called for obstacles to its implementation to be removed, though timelines and modalities vary by country and operator.

Ronsard Luabeya

Posted On mardi, 24 février 2026 08:29 Written by
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