Vodacom RDC said it can no longer maintain normal service levels for some services in Goma and Bukavu after losing access to its technical sites in the two cities.

In a statement issued on June 23, 2026, the operator said the situation was beyond its control. The company said it was closely monitoring developments and working to regain access to its infrastructure and restore all services as quickly as possible.

Vodacom did not specify the circumstances that led to the loss of access. The statement did not mention any intrusion, sabotage, or specific party responsible. The company also provided no details about the infrastructure involved or which services had been affected.

Before the official statement, local social media reports had already highlighted disruptions on Vodacom's network in Goma for more than 48 hours. Subscribers reported difficulties accessing communication and connectivity services.

The disruption comes amid a particularly fragile security and administrative situation in Goma and Bukavu, two cities currently under the control of the AFC/M23 rebellion. In such an environment, access to telecommunications infrastructure is critical to maintaining service continuity.

Risk to mobile payments

This is not the first time Vodacom has reported major disruptions in the region. In January 2026, the operator announced that its technical center in Goma had been breached, resulting in the loss of network supervision and control. Services affected at the time included voice calls, SMS, mobile internet, and M-Pesa.

The current situation is different, however. This time, Vodacom said it had lost access to its technical sites in Goma and Bukavu without specifying whether mobile financial services were also affected.

The limited information available makes it difficult to assess the full extent of the disruptions. It also remains unclear whether all of the operator's services have been affected or whether the problems are limited to specific functions or coverage areas.

If M-Pesa is among the affected services, the consequences could be significant for local communities. In several areas under AFC/M23 control, traditional banking services have been operating under severe constraints for months.

Several banks and microfinance institutions have suspended operations or closed branches, increasing reliance on mobile payment services among households and businesses. A prolonged disruption to digital financial services could affect money transfers, everyday payments, and transactions linked to salaries or commercial activity.

Timothée Manoke