In a groundbreaking move, Orange RDC and Vodacom Congo have formed a joint venture to expand network coverage in rural areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Under the new partnership, solar-powered mobile base stations will be set up across the country.

The move aligns with the two telcos’ efforts to enhance connectivity in the DRC. Vodacom Congo, for instance, recently connected the towns of Busanga and Kakula to its 3G network, providing advanced communication services to residents in these mining areas.

For its part, Orange RDC partnered with NuRAN to build 2,000 cell phone sites, to connect over 10 million previously unserved Congolese. Also, the telco and Liquid Intelligent Technologies completed a 2,300 km fiber optic network linking several towns across the east and west of the country. The project cost $20 million. Its goal: providing high-speed Internet access to individuals and businesses, thus reducing the digital divide.

These initiatives demonstrate the telecom operators' commitment to supporting the economic and social development of the DRC by improving access to information and communication technologies, particularly in rural and remote areas.

This article was initially published in French by Georges Auréole Bamba

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho