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