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DIGITAL

DIGITAL (27)

On May 23, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a memorandum of understanding with Huawei to pilot a smart village model. The project aims to provide high-speed Internet access, digital skills training for young people, and to connect local public services such as the civil registry, health, and education. This initiative is part of the national digital transformation strategy to modernize the State and reduce digital inequalities, particularly in rural areas where Internet access remains limited.

The project aligns with broader continental efforts, supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank, to leverage digitization for sustainable development and inclusion. Mickael Lukoki Nsimba, the prime minister's chief of staff, highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring “equaldigitalopportunitiesforruralpopulationsandbuilding a modern, transparent, and connected state.”

As of the end of 2024, only 34.6% of Congolese had access to mobile Internet, and fixed Internet access was extremely limited at 0.02%, underscoring the importance and urgency of such initiatives.

Samira Njoya, We Are Tech

 

Posted On mardi, 27 mai 2025 08:29 Written by

Airtel remained DR Congo’s top mobile service provider, by sales, last year. It was ahead of Vodacom, Orange, and Africell. According to the country’s telecom regulator, the ARPTC, the subsidiary of the Indian group Bharti Airtel generated $741 million, or 35.5% of the sector's total revenues of $2.09 billion.

Compared to 2023, Airtel’s revenues grew by 7.5%. The Congolese watchdog is attributed to an aggressive sales strategy and ongoing investment in extending its network coverage. As in 2023, Airtel outperformed its rivals: Vodacom captured 32.6% of market revenues, Orange 28.1%, and Africell 3.8%.

Total sales (incl. VAT) (voice+SMS+data+mobile money+other VAS) in dollars

IMAGE1

Airtel's momentum is largely based on growth in data and SMS consumption, despite stable revenues from voice, a segment in which Vodacom remains dominant. Airtel remains the leader in data revenues, with $365.5 million (37.7% market share), ahead of Orange (31.5%), Vodacom (27%), and Africell (3.8%). This performance is due to the competitiveness of its packages and the extent of its 4G network.

In the mobile money segment, Vodacom remains in the lead with revenues of $168.5 million (46% market share). Airtel comes second with $137.2 million (37.5%), followed by Orange ($58.5 million, 16%). Africell, despite a 168.3% increase in revenues to $1.7 million, represents just 0.5% of the market.

Number of active cell phone subscriptions

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The DRC ended 2024 with 63.96 million active subscriptions (used at least once over 90 days), up 13.7% on 2023, corresponding to almost 7.7 million new subscribers. Vodacom dominates in terms of subscriber numbers, with a 36% market share. Orange and Airtel are neck-and-neck, with 29% each. Africell closes the ranking with 6%.

This article was initially published in French by Muriel Edjo

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Posted On lundi, 19 mai 2025 16:09 Written by

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is looking for a service provider to deploy digital terrestrial television (DTT) in 54 towns across the country.  The provider will be selected through a bidding process. This decision was ratified on May 12, 2025, during a meeting of the National Committee for Migration to DTT (CNM-TNT).

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya. It was attended by the ministers of National Defense, Justice, Planning, Budget, Industry, Telecoms, Finance, and Culture.

According to the Minister, progress has been made in the selection process for the service provider, whose identity will be revealed in the coming days. He stated that all procedures have been finalized in collaboration with the Ministry of the Budget, leading to this outcome. 

"We have been able to make progress, and that in the next few days, we will have more precise elements that will enable the Congolese and all service providers in the sector to know which partner we will be working with in the rollout of digital television," said the Minister of Communication and Media.

In December 2024, the interministerial commission had opted for a restricted call for tenders to select a technical partner for the next phase of the project, which would extend DTT to an additional 46 towns. The estimated cost of that operation was around $60 million, but with the extension to 54 cities, the cost has not been disclosed.

The first phase of DTT deployment in the DRC has already been completed, with nine cities currently benefiting from the service. Launched in 2018, DTT has generated nearly $82 million in revenue for the public treasury, which the government aims to increase through the subsequent phases of the project.

This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Posted On mercredi, 14 mai 2025 14:16 Written by

On May 8, 2025, the Ministry of Transport, Communication Routes and Opening-up issued an official letter listing 240 unapproved river and lake ports slated for immediate closure. The document, referenced N° VPM/MTVCD/CAB/563/2025 and signed by Deputy Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba, was addressed to the Ministry of the Interior, Security, Decentralization, and Customary Affairs.

The measure aligns with resolutions from the 46ᵉ and 52ᵉ meetings of the Council of Ministers held on August 28 and October 9, 2020, respectively, focusing on regulating the river sector. It also follows Ministerial Letter No. VPM/MTVCD/CAB/458/2024 dated October 15, 2024, concerning the closure of so-called "illegal" ports.

The listed sites span multiple provinces, with the document specifying the names, locations, and in some cases, the owners of the affected infrastructures.

At the 17ᵉ ordinary Council of Ministers meeting on October 11, 2024, President Félix Tshisekedi instructed the government to enhance safety in river and lake navigation after a shipwreck on Lake Kivu. He emphasized combating clandestine ports, supervising boat construction, and strengthening regular technical monitoring by Ministry of Transport experts.

Following this directive, the Ministry had already initiated an operation to close unauthorized ports in response to a series of incidents on the waterways.

Boaz Kabeya (intern)

 

Posted On mardi, 13 mai 2025 10:03 Written by

The mobile Internet market in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) generated $970.2 million in revenue in 2024. The figure, revealed by the country’s telecom regulator, the ARPTC, accounted for 46.4% of the sector’s total sales, which reached $2.09 billion.

Mobile Internet’s contribution to operators’ revenues rose from 29% in 2022 to 27.3% in 2023 and 46.4% in 2024. Between 2023 and 2024, the revenues from the Mobile Internet segment jumped 30.3%, while the whole mobile sector recorded an 8.7% growth in revenues.

This growth is driven more by a surge in data consumption than by subscriber growth. Over one year, the number of subscribers rose by 10% to nearly 33 million, while the volume of data consumed soared by 54% to a record 1,083 billion gigabytes. For comparison, data consumption in 2024 was 2.5 times higher than in 2022 (around 486 billion gigabytes).

Kinshasa and Haut-Katanga remain the main hubs for subscriptions, but the two Kivus (North and South) are emerging as markets to watch, with 5.8 million subscribers by the end of 2024, making the region second only to Kinshasa.

Market shares among operators vary. Vodacom RDC leads in active subscribers (over 90 days) with a 37.78% share, followed by Orange (29.97%), Airtel (29.33%), and Africell (2.92%). However, Airtel dominates Internet revenues, bringing in $365.5 million (37.7%), ahead of Orange (31.5%), Vodacom (27%), and Africell (3.8%). Airtel has held this leading position since 2021.

The DRC’s mobile Internet market still has significant growth potential. The GSMA forecasts 15 million additional subscribers by 2030, underscoring the sector’s role as a key growth driver for telecom operators and justifying recent efforts to expand coverage and enhance competitiveness

This article was initially published in French by Georges Auréole Bamba

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

 

 

Posted On mardi, 13 mai 2025 08:26 Written by

Airtel Africa has signed a landmark agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet to its customers across the continent, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Starlink just received its operating license. Airtel Africa announced the partnership via a May 5, 2025, statement. 

According to Airtel DRC, the partnership aims to“connect even the most remote regions with fast, reliable, and affordable internet”by using Starlink’s network to link Airtel’s base transceiver stations (BTS)in hard-to-reach areas to its central telecom infrastructure. This move is expected to slash equipment costs compared to current VSAT technology.

"Thus, this agreement will enable Airtel to offer a higher-quality service with greater capacity than 3G or even 4G while reducing deployment costs, which should accelerate its territory coverage," our source concludes.

For Airtel DRC, this deal is a strategic play in the race for 15 million new mobile internet subscribers expected in the country by 2030, as projected by the GSMA. It also responds to recent moves by competitors Orange and Vodacom, who are expanding rural coverage through a joint venture for solar-powered mobile base stations.

Data from the Congolese telecom regulator shows that as of late 2024, Airtel had 9.66 million mobile internet subscribers in the DRC (29.33% market share), trailing Vodacom (37.78%) and Orange (29.97%), but leading in internet revenue with $365.5 million (37.7% share). The partnership gives SpaceX a chance to expand Starlink’s reach in markets previously limited by high service costs, with African packages ranging from $29 to $40 per month and equipment at $299.

Starlink’s official launch in the DRC is expected in May 2025, and its impact on Airtel’s subscriber growth and market position will be closely watched. Both companies tout the agreement as a major step toward digital inclusion, promising to transform connectivity for schools, health centers, businesses, and rural communities across Africa.

This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko and Ronsard Luabeya (intern)

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

 

Posted On mercredi, 07 mai 2025 15:39 Written by

Starlink has been allowed to operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to a press release dated May 2, 2025, the country’s telecom regulator, the ARPTC, granted an operating permit to Starlink DRC S.A., the local subsidiary of SpaceX Group's satellite Internet service provider. Starlink is Elon Musk's initiative to provide high-speed Internet access worldwide via a constellation of low-earth orbit satellites.

The firm secured the permit after regularizing its administrative situation. It can now operate in compliance with the DRC’s regulations.

The Congolese people, especially in rural and remote areas, should significantly benefit from the breakthrough. Starlink's services should come online in a few days.

Billionaire Elon Musk's company joins a Congolese market already occupied by 33 ISPs, according to ARPTC's biannual report (second half 2023) on the market observatory for the provision of Internet services. The advent of Starlink also coincides with preparations for the launch of 5G in the DRC.

The same report indicates that the DRC had over 29.9 million mobile Internet subscribers, compared with just 23,267 for fixed Internet in 2023. The penetration rate remains very low for fixed-line (0.024%), compared with 31.49% for mobile. Compared with the previous half-year, the total number of subscribers rose by 15.4%. The Internet services market generated over $599.1 million, but the revenue recovery rate for fixed Internet remains low, reaching just 48.3% among identified providers. According to the 2025 Mobile Economy report, published last March, the DRC is set to welcome 15 million new mobile Internet subscribers between 2025 and 2030.

On a mission to Washington (USA) in March 2025, Augustin Kibassa Maliba, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital (PTN), met with Starlink representatives. The meeting focused on the possibility of deploying Starlink's satellite technology to improve Internet access, particularly in rural areas where almost 70% of the population remains unconnected. At the end of the discussions, the two parties agreed to take the necessary administrative steps to launch Starlink's activities in the DRC, including drawing up specifications and obtaining operating licenses.

Ronsard Luabeya

Posted On lundi, 05 mai 2025 10:06 Written by

On April 16, 2025, Orange Group laid the foundation stone for its future headquarters in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The firm thus officially kicked off the project, which it expects to be done by October 2027.

The eight-story building will cover 10,000 m² and feature an autonomous solar energy system. Located on Avenue des Huileries in Lingwala commune, opposite the Martyrs de la Pentecôte stadium, the headquarters symbolizes Orange’s deep local commitment.

“This project reflects our digital ambition and local roots,” said Orange DRC CEO Ben Cheick Haidara, highlighting confidence in the country’s economic and digital potential despite a challenging business environment.

Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs Augustin Kibassa Maliba called the headquarters “a major leap forward for the DRC’s technological development,” envisioning a modern, innovative workspace that will benefit all Congolese.

According to the Congolese telecom watchdog, ARPTC, Orange is the nation's second-largest mobile operator, with 18.5 million subscribers. It trails Vodacom's 22.5 million but is ahead of Airtel and Africell.

Global Market Share in Q2 (left) and Q3 (right) of 2024 (Source : Arptc)

With 62.2 million mobile subscribers—reaching a penetration rate of 65.8%—and 32.1 million mobile internet users (33.8% penetration), the DRC’s population of over 100 million marks a market still ripe with untapped potential.

The government’s strong push to make digital transformation a key driver of economic and social growth aligns perfectly with the opportunities Orange sees in the DRC.

The company is well-positioned to lead across multiple sectors, including the booming startup scene, digitalization of public and private services, cloud computing, data storage, and cybersecurity.

Mobile Money Market Share in Q2 (left) and Q3 (right) of 2024 (Soure: ARPTC)

Another key growth driver of Orange in the DRC is Mobile Money, with its penetration rate of 26.7%.

But realizing these ambitions depends heavily on the continuation of government reforms to boost the digital economy. Critical areas include enhancing the regulatory framework, managing frequency spectrum, expanding infrastructure, issuing new licenses, and improving access to mobile devices.

Political and security stability in the country are key to ensuring these investments’ materialization over the long term.

Muriel Edjo, We Are Tech

 

Posted On mardi, 22 avril 2025 13:00 Written by

Genew Technologies and Zhongshi Wosen, both Chinese companies, will help the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) build its fiber optic network. The Congolese Minister of Telecoms, Augustin Maliba, signed the related memorandum of understanding(MoU) on April 7, 2025.

"With the support of the Minister and the Agency for the Steering, Coordination and Monitoring of Collaboration Agreements (APCSC), we will strive to significantly improve the telecommunications sector in the DRC," said Wu Minhua, CEO of Genew Technologies. He also noted that the DRC had been on his company’s radar for investment for several years, adding, "The time has come, that's why we're here."

While MoUs often lead to collaboration, they are not legally binding commitments. Thus, only definitive agreements will seal the partnership with Genew Technologies and Zhongshi Wosen.

Genew Technologies, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Shenzhen, specializes in end-to-end communication solutions and telecommunications infrastructure. It is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. 

Zhongshi Wosen, on the other hand, remains less known, though it is already active in the DRC. Its president, Zhou Tiesheng, visited Central South University (CSU) in China alongside a Congolese government delegation in November 2024. 

According to the Congolese Ministry of Telecom, the two Chinese companies are experienced in ICT and fiber optic communications, and have worked in markets like Angola and Mauritania.

The need for infrastructure development in the DRC is pressing. According to the Autorité de Régulation de la Poste et des Télécommunications (ARPTC), only 9,361 km of optical fiber have been deployed out of the 50,000 km outlined in the Plan National du Numérique – Horizon 2025.

This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Posted On vendredi, 11 avril 2025 16:25 Written by

Augustin Kibassa Maliba, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Minister of Telecommunications, met with Starlink representatives a week ago. With the representatives, Maliba explored opportunities for expanding internet connectivity in the DRC. The meeting occurred in Washington, on March 18, 2025, a year after the DRC’s telecom regulator banned Starlink from operating in Congolese airspace. At the time, the watchdog had warned that “any connection, sale or use of this equipment is considered a violation of the laws in force and exposes offenders to sanctions”.

Last week’s meeting focused on deploying Starlink’s satellite technology to address the country’s vast connectivity gaps. Nearly 70% of the DRC’s population remains offline, particularly in rural areas. According to a press release from the ministry, Kibassa Maliba emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure and extending broadband access to schools, health centers, and remote communities. He also underscored the importance of this collaboration for both digital development and national security.

Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, showcased its expertise in satellite-based internet services, highlighting its successes across Africa. The company specializes in providing high-speed broadband in regions where traditional infrastructure such as fiber optics and mobile networks is either limited or nonexistent.

After the recent meeting, both sides agreed to take administrative steps to advance the partnership, including drafting specifications and obtaining operating licenses. A pilot project is expected to launch soon to evaluate the technical feasibility and social impact of Starlink’s services in the DRC.

This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Posted On mardi, 25 mars 2025 10:06 Written by
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