Angola’s Infrasat plans to enter the telecommunications market in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the company said after its chairman, Diego de Carvalho, met Digital Economy Minister Augustin Kibassa Maliba in Kinshasa on April 2, 2026.

De Carvalho said Infrasat aims to begin technical operations this year, targeting infrastructure and connectivity services, particularly in underserved areas.

A subsidiary of Angola Telecom specializing in satellite services, Infrasat provides data transmission, high-speed internet and connectivity solutions for remote regions. Founded in 2008, the company relies mainly on satellite technology to expand network coverage in rural and landlocked areas — a largely underserved segment in the DRC.

During the meeting, the company also presented projects to support the country’s digital transformation. “We submitted proposals to support the country as it advances its digital transformation,” de Carvalho said, adding that Congolese authorities showed interest.

Infrasat will enter a competitive market. According to the DRC’s postal and telecommunications regulator (ARPTC), the country had 37 internet service providers in H2 2023, some of which hold multiple licenses. Of these, 33 offered fixed internet services via fiber optic or wireless technologies such as WiMAX and VSAT, while four operators dominated the mobile internet segment.

Underexploited market

According to ARPTC data, mobile internet generated $594 million by end-June 2025, accounting for 52.7% of total sector revenue. During the same period, the number of active users reached 34.5 million, with a penetration rate of 30.79%, while data usage rose 26.91% compared with the first quarter of 2025.

By revenue, Airtel led the market with 41.6%, ahead of Orange (29.5%), Vodacom (24.7%) and Africell (4.1%). By subscribers, Vodacom ranked first with 36.4% of the market, followed by Airtel (30.8%), Orange (29.8%) and Africell (3%).

GSMA projects the DRC will add 15 million new mobile internet subscribers between 2025 and 2030. Since May 2025, Starlink has also been authorized to operate in the country, increasing competition, particularly in satellite internet.

In this context, Infrasat’s move highlights the growing attractiveness of the Congolese market, driven by rising demand, expected network expansion and the increasing importance of connectivity in underserved areas.

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