News (207)
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
KoBold Metals seeks to acquire part of the Manono lithium project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to multiple sources, in January 2025, KoBold sent a proposal to President Félix Tshisekedi’s chief of staff. The company, which uses artificial intelligence for mining exploration, is financed by Bezos and Gates.
Since 2023, AVZ has been challenging the DRC’s decision to revoke its rights to Manono and divide the permit. The government awarded part of the deposit to China's Zijin Mining. Recently, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) ordered Cominière to pay €39.1 million in penalties for failing to comply with injunctions but did not resolve ownership disputes.
KoBold has reportedly proposed a compromise: AVZ would receive compensation for dropping its claims, Zijin would retain control of the northern section of Manono, and KoBold would develop the southern portion. The U.S. company also suggested that minority shares be held directly by the Congolese state rather than Cominière.
None of the involved parties AVZ, Zijin Mining, or Cominière has officially commented on KoBold’s offer. Meanwhile, Suzhou CATH Energy Technologies, AVZ's Chinese partner, has provided a $20 million credit facility to support AVZ in its legal fight in January 2025.
On March 14, AVZ confirmed efforts to secure U.S. support for developing Manono but declined to disclose details about discussions or potential partners.
KoBold’s move reflects broader geopolitical stakes. Reports suggest that
Washington and Kinshasa are discussing a minerals-for-military-support deal. The U.S. aims to secure access to critical minerals like lithium while assisting the DRC in fighting rebel forces in Kivu.
KoBold is no stranger to Africa’s mining sector. The company uses artificial intelligence to search for metals that are critical to the energy transition. In 2022, it gained attention by investing in a Zambian copper deposit. CEO Kurt House has called the DRC “the best place in the world” for sourcing materials essential to energy transition technologies.
Emiliano Tossou
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is among the top 15 global markets with the highest anticipated subscriber growth between 2025 and 2030. The Global System Operators Association (GSMA) ranked the DRC in a report titled The Mobile Economy 2025.
According to the document, released a few weeks ago, the DRC should welcome 15 million new mobile internet subscribers during this period, placing it 12th globally and 5th in Africa. By 2030, the country should thus have over 45 million mobile internet subscribers.
While the report does not specify the drivers behind these forecasts, the DRC’s expanding digital infrastructure and increasing demand for connectivity are likely contributing factors. As of mid-2024, data from the Congolese telecom regulator indicated that the DRC had 59.7 million cell phone subscribers and 30.7 million mobile internet users, representing a population of approximately 95.2 million.
The mobile internet market in the DRC remains competitive. Vodacom leads in subscriber share with 36.78%, followed by Airtel (28.79%), Orange (28.33%), and Africell (6.10%). However, Airtel dominates revenue generation with a 36.19% share, ahead of Orange (32.72%), Vodacom (27.12%), and Africell (3.92%).
This dynamic is shifting. Africell and Orange saw their data services revenue grow by 14.26% and 11.2% respectively, between Q1 and Q2 of 2024, while Vodacom and Airtel saw slight declines–2.25% and 0.39%.
Growth in Africa
Strategic partnerships are also reshaping the sector’s landscape. In January 2025, Vodacom and French operator Orange announced plans to jointly build and operate 2,000 solar-powered base stations over six years to improve rural connectivity and expand access to telecommunications and mobile financial services. Meanwhile, Africell has emerged as a key player in U.S.-backed efforts to develop telecommunications along the Lobito corridor, securing funding for its expansion in Angola and the DRC.
Globally, GSMA projects nearly 800 million new mobile internet subscribers by 2030, bringing total users to 5.5 billion—64% of the world’s population. Africa will account for approximately 35% of this growth, with Nigeria leading the continent with an anticipated 38 million new subscribers, followed by Ethiopia (19 million), Angola (18 million), Egypt (15 million), the DRC (15 million), and Tanzania (11 million). The Asia-Pacific region will drive nearly 40% of global growth, led by India with a staggering 141 million new subscribers. China, Pakistan, and Indonesia should follow with 45 million, 39 million, and 38 million new subscribers expected.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko and Timothée Manoke (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
On March 17, 2025, the European Union unveiled new sanctions against some Rwandan officials. The EU accused the officials of being involved in the ongoing war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the illicit exploitation of Congolese mineral resources. The sanctions effectively target the Gasabo Gold Refinery in Kigali and Francis Kamanzi, head of Rwanda's mining regulator.
Mining has become a pillar of the Rwandan economy in recent years. In 2023, the sector contributed nearly 70% of Rwanda’s total exports and 3% of GDP, earning the country $1.1 billion; gold alone contributed $883 million.
With a mineral potential valued at $150 billion, Rwanda attracts major foreign investors. For example, in July 2024, Rwanda announced it had partnered with Rio Tinto, the world's second-largest mining group by market capitalization. This was a deal to explore and exploit 3T (tin, tantalum, and tungsten) and lithium deposits. The same year, in February, even the EU had signed a strategic minerals partnership with Kigali.
Plundering Accusations
Now, however, several independent reports and the Congolese government allege that most of the minerals exported by Rwanda are smuggled from the DRC. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebels that recently invaded its eastern regions, and asks Kigali’s international partners to stop cooperating with President Kagame’s country.
"The transit of gold through Rwanda's only gold refinery, Gasabo Gold Refinery, contributes to the illicit export through Rwanda of illegally mined gold. Gasabo Gold Refinery has therefore exploited armed conflict, instability or insecurity in the DRC, in particular through the illicit exploitation or trade of natural resources," reads an official note signed by Kaja Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission. The document added that Francis Kamanzi, head of Rwanda's mining regulator, was taking advantage of the conflict and instability in the DRC, through illegal trade and mining.
The Congolese government welcomed the EU sanctions. “These sanctions are the first step in the fight against Rwanda's plundering of the DRC's mineral wealth,” the Congolese Ministry of Communication wrote in a statement dated March 17, 2025.
Despite these developments, it remains unclear how the sanctions will impact Rwanda’s mining sector or its attractiveness to investors in 2025. Not all refineries in Rwanda face sanctions and global traceability mechanisms have so far failed to prevent minerals looted by rebels in the DRC from entering international supply chains.
This article was initially published in French by Emiliano Tossou
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
After failing to meet several times over the past months, Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Paul Kagame of Rwanda finally sat face-to-face on March 18, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. The meeting, mediated by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, marked a significant diplomatic breakthrough toward resolving the escalating conflict in eastern DRC.
According to a joint communiqué issued after the talks, “the Heads of State reaffirmed the commitment of all parties to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” referencing agreements made at the February summit of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders in Dar es Salaam. A week after the summit, the M3 rebels and their Rwandan allies captured Bukavu.
The communiqué also emphasized continuing discussions under the Luanda/Nairobi peace process to establish lasting foundations for peace. It described the Doha meeting as contributing to “a shared commitment to a secure and stable future for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the region.”
This meeting brought fresh hope following the abrupt cancellation of peace talks in Angola scheduled for the same day. The withdrawal of M23 rebels from those negotiations, citing European Union sanctions imposed on their leaders on March 17, further undermined efforts to resolve the conflict. Tshisekedi and Kagame had not met since February 2024 at an African Union summit, and previous attempts at dialogue—including a planned December summit in Luanda—had collapsed.
The Emir of Qatar played a crucial role in bringing the two leaders together. According to Congolese presidential spokeswoman Tina Salama, Qatar is viewed as a “strategic ally” by both nations. This mediation effort underscores Qatar’s growing influence as a neutral facilitator in complex geopolitical disputes.
The stakes are high for eastern DRC, a mineral-rich region that M23 started invading in January, seizing key cities like Goma and Bukavu and causing widespread displacement. The conflict has claimed an estimated 7,000 lives this year alone. Accusations that Rwanda supports M23—backed by United Nations reports—have strained regional relations, with Kigali denying any direct involvement.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
A $634 million project was recently launched to boost access to power and clean water in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Teddy Lwamba, Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity, officially launched project, known as AGREE, on March 18.
The project will be deployed in 14 towns, including Kinshasa, Kikwit, Bandundu, Tshikapa, Kananga, Mbuji-Mayi, Mwene-Ditu, Kabinda, Bukavu, Goma, Butembo, Beni, Bunia, and Boma. The AGREE is mostly backed by the World Bank, with a $600 million facility—split equally between a loan and a grant. The remaining $34 million is a grant from the Green Climate Fund.
While the related financing agreement was signed in June 2022, it has taken nearly three years to finalize implementation. The DRC now faces a tight timeline to fully utilize the funds by the project’s closing date of September 30, 2029. This deadline presents challenges, particularly in conflict-affected zones such as Goma and Bukavu, where M23 rebels and their Rwandan backers maintain control.
The AGREE project allocates $30.75 million to improving governance and management of the Congolese power utility, Société Nationale d'Électricité (SNEL), and the water sector. Another $33.50 million is earmarked for technical assistance to provincial governments, central agencies, and service providers in the sanitation, water, and electricity sectors.
A significant $212.50 million will support electrification efforts in Kananga and Mbuji-Mayi through private sector involvement. Additionally, $223.25 million is dedicated to expanding public access to electricity and water infrastructure with private sector participation. This includes rehabilitating parts of SNEL’s distribution network in Kinshasa and Gbadolite, extending water supply systems in Kananga and Goma-Ouest, improving sanitation in Bukavu, and fostering human capital development in targeted cities.
These four components account for $500 million of the total budget; however, details on how the remaining $134 million will be allocated have not been disclosed.
This article was initially published in French by Boaz Kabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
In a March 19, 2025, interview with Fox News, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi confirmed his government’s willingness to negotiate a security partnership with the United States in exchange for access to critical minerals.
"We are looking for partnerships and have established some with several countries. We believe that the United States, given its role and influence in the world, is an important partner for us. We are happy to see that with the Trump administration, things are moving forward at a faster pace on both sides," Tshisekedi told the network, which is reportedly close to President Trump.
The Congolese leader did not talk about potential arms shipments or the deployment of U.S. military personnel in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, some lobbyists representing Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi—Chairman of the Senate's Defense, Security and Border Protection Committee—previously addressed this request to the U.S. Secretary of State Marc Rubio.
President Tshisekedi highlighted the opportunity for sustainable U.S. investment in critical mineral extraction and processing, which he said could create jobs and foster long-term stability.
Asked about how he would guarantee the safety of American investors in his country, Tshisekedi mentioned plans to strengthen the Congolese army’s defense capabilities and expressed hope that U.S.-imposed sanctions and pressure on armed groups could help stabilize conflict zones.
Trump Sends Special Envoy to Kinshasa
A few days before President Tshisikedi’s appearance on Fox, the U.S. had sent a Special Envoy, Ronny Jackson, to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Jackson, a member of Congress, met with Tshisekedi on March 16.
Jackson came amid escalating tensions in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have seized control of key cities including Goma and Bukavu.
“The DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected by all. We are going to work so that all obstacles on the path to peace are removed, so that peace returns to the DRC ", Jackson said during the meeting, according to DRC Presidency. "Our goal is to ensure that American companies can come, invest, and work in the DRC. And to do that, we need to make sure there's a peacefulenvironment," he added, according to the same source.
Several actors are getting involved in the talks to end the conflict in eastern DRC. Qatar, one of them, facilitated a meeting between Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame of Rwanda on March 17.
The recent developments unfold against a backdrop of intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, with Beijing controlling nearly 80% of DRC's mines. Washington views China as an economic and geostrategic competitor in the mineral-rich African nation.
Amidst the world’s technological development and geopolitical tensions, the DRC's critical mineral resources, valued at an estimated $24 trillion by the World Bank, have attracted global attention. The country has signed preliminary agreements with various entities, including the European Union, Saudi Arabia, and Japan, potentially complicating U.S. interests in the region.
After visiting the DRC, Ronny Jackson also went to the neighboring Congo-Brazzaville where he met with President Denis Sassou Nguesso. According to the Chinese official press, Nguesso asked Jackson to mediate in the US-China trade rivalry.
This article was initially published in French by Georges Auréole Bamba
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will soon asphalt some of its roads with recycled plastic waste. On March 13, 2025, the Congolese government sealed the related deal, a memorandum of understanding (MoU), with India's Thiagarajar College of Engineering. to pave roads using recycled plastic waste, a technique that has been successfully implemented in India for the past decade.
"The aim is to ensure an effective transfer of skills and equip the country with local expertise in smart, sustainable roads," the minister said.
According to Ève Bazaiba Masudi, the DRC’s Minister of State for the Environment and Sustainable Development, the project aligns with the DRC's five-year action program (2024-2028). Masudi added that the initiative will improve roads and tackle environmental issues caused by plastic pollution.
The DRC’s partner on the project, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, is located in Madurai, India. The college promotes research and innovation and develops sustainable technological solutions in collaboration with academic and industrial partners.
Under the agreement, the DRC will receive a license to operate and market this flexible pavement technology. Key national agencies, including the Office des Routes, the Office des Voiries et Drainage, and the Institut National du Bâtiment et des Travaux Publics, will be involved in testing and implementing the project.
This initiative comes at a critical time for the DRC, particularly for Kinshasa, where plastic waste management has long been a significant challenge. Previous efforts, including a 2015 European Union-supported project that established a plastic waste treatment plant and collection stations, have had limited success. In 2022, the American company Clean-Seas announced a $30 million investment in a thermal power plant in Kinshasa to convert plastic waste into energy products and electricity.
Ronsard Luabeya (intern)
On March 17, 2025, in Berlin, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took a significant step toward expanding its energy infrastructure by signing a commercial contract with Germany’s Gauff Engineering. The agreement, valued at €150 million (approximately $165.5 million), covers the construction of 230 photovoltaic and mini-hydropower plants over the next four years, according to the ANSER, the Congolese agency for electrification in rural peri-urban areas.
While the related financing agreement is still pending and the identity of financial backers remains undisclosed, it is known that part of the funding is expected to come from Germany. According to the ANSER, this initiative is tied to a rural and peri-urban electrification program formalized during the German-African Energy Forum, which coincided with the contract signing. However, critical details such as the total capacity of the planned infrastructure, plant locations, and project start dates have yet to be revealed.
Headquartered in Nuremberg, Gauff Engineering specializes in complex infrastructure projects across water, energy, and transportation sectors. The company has a proven track record in Africa, including a project to electrify 300 villages in Senegal. Gauff’s expertise aligns with the ANSER’s mission to address energy access disparities in rural and peri-urban areas—regions often overlooked by private investors.
The ANSER was created in 2016 but began operating in 2020. Since then, it kicked off 53 projects and completed 22. By the end of 2025, it aims to increase energy production capacity to 30 megawatts (MW) and electrify approximately 459,330 households. Despite these efforts, rural electrification rates remain alarmingly low at just 1%, underscoring the urgency of scaling up initiatives like this one.
This article was initially published in French by Boaz Kabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will have 111 million city dwellers by 2050, up from 43.3 million in 2020. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) made the forecast in its Report Dynamics of African Urbanization 2025. Releasd on March 6, 2025, the document was produced in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), Cities Alliance, and UCLG Africa.
City dwellers could thus make up nearly 64% of the DRC’s population by 2050, against 47% in 2020, and 50% anticipated in 2025. The surge would make the DRC home to Africa’s third-largest urban population, trailing only Nigeria (250 million) and Egypt (147 million).
According to the OECD, Kinshasa, the capital, will not the only to experience the projected city rush. The report’s authors expect the DRC to host 17 major urban agglomerations by mid-century, second only to Nigeria’s 30
"The increase in the area of large urban agglomerations is expected to be particularly rapid in Central and West Africa, with most of the fastest-growing large agglomerations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso," the report states.
The anticipated urban demographic explosion presents significant challenges for Congolese authorities. Access to basic public services such as water, electricity, education, and healthcare—will need to be scaled up dramatically. Infrastructure development, including roads and waste management systems, must also be prioritized to accommodate growing populations and ensure functional urban mobility.
However, the private sector could significantly profit from the dynamic, especially operators active in the housing, food, and transportation markets where city dwellers spend a lot.
This article was initially published in French by Espoir Olodo
.Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
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Kamoa-Kakula copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) earned $3.11 billion last year. Ivanhoe Mines, which runs the mine, disclosed the figure in a note released on February 18, 2025.
This performance was attributed to a 5% increase in net copper sales volumes and a 6% rise in the average realized price per tonne compared to the previous year. Despite higher operating costs, the mine generated $1.4 billion in added value, $1.8 billion in operating income, and $777 million in net income in 2024.
Over the same period, the mine sold 397,976 tonnes of payable copper concentrates at an average price of $4.09 per tonne. However, a discrepancy of $470 million exists between calculated sales figures and those reported by the company. Despite inquiries, Kamoa-Kakula has yet to clarify this inconsistency.
In its memo, Ivanhoe highlighted the sales structure for 2025, revealing that buyers CITIC Metal and Gold Mountains have already provided a $500 million sales advance at a fixed annual interest rate of 3.75%, plus the average one-month SOFR rate at the time of finalization. Additionally, sales may be subject to adjustments based on international market conditions.
For the DRC government, transparency in these operations is critical since declared revenues form the basis for calculating taxes and royalties. In 2024, Kamoa-Kakula reported $307.1 million in royalties, production taxes, and other levies. Income taxes for the year are expected to exceed $345 million, while the government’s 20% stake in the project will yield $155.4 million in attributable net income.
Ivanhoe Mines is an indirect shareholder of the Kamoa-Kakula mine, through Kamoa Holding which owns 80% of the project.
This article was initially published in French by Georges Auréole Bamba
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
The Nsele municipality, located 9km from Kinshasa’s Ndjili airport, should house a major housing project in the next four years. Acacia Bandubola, the Land Affairs Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), announced the project on March 7, 2025, in an exclusive interview.
According to sources close to the matter, the project, known as Cité-Jardin, will comprise 5,800 homes and span 33 hectares. The same sources added that construction works began two weeks ago. However, the first stone is yet to be laid.
The project will be developed via a public-private partnership with Modern Construction, a subsidiary of the HJ Group of Companies, which has been involved in several notable projects in the DRC, including the Galerie La Fontaine and the Hilton Hotel.
While further details have not been disclosed, yet, various sources in the government and Modern Construction indicated that the government provides the land, and Modern Construction takes care of building and marketing the project.
Affordable, or not ?
On the related reservation platform, two- and three-bedroom units are priced at $59,900 and $79,900, respectively. Buyers can opt for financing through a bank or direct payment to Modern Construction, with a 20% initial deposit and the balance spread over five years.
Though the Land Affairs Minister claims that the houses aim to be “accessible to all Congolese”, these prices are out of reach for many Congolese. According to the World Bank, 73.5% of the population lived on less than $2.15 a day in 2024. Meanwhile, the country had a housing deficit of 4 million units in 2023, according to UN-Habitat. Kinshasa alone accounted for 54.4% of the demand. To meet this need, the government aims to build 143,092 housing units annually in the capital and 265,000 nationwide.
Cité-Jardin is presented as a pilot project to be replicated nationwide, to gradually reduce the DRC’s housing deficit. While lauding the project, concerned stakeholders recommend tackling various issues that impede real estate investments in the country. These issues, according to Malick Fall, Resident Representative of the International Finance Corporation, include land tenure problems, difficulties in establishing property titles, and an underdeveloped mortgage market.
If completed, the Cité-Jardin project will be a significant step forward in addressing the country's housing shortage, which has been largely unaddressed since the construction of Cité Mama Mobutu in the 1980s.
This article was initially published in French by Timothée Manoke (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
On March 10, 2025, the price of a 25-liter drum of palm oil from Bandundu province surged by nearly 36%, climbing from 70,000 to 95,000 Congolese francs (CF) in Kinshasa markets. This sharp increase reflects a broader trend observed across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In Bunia, Ituri province, the price of a 20-liter can rose from CF60,000 to CF85,000 on March 4 a jump of 41%. Similarly, in Kikwit, Kwilu province, prices skyrocketed by 73% between January 15 and January 22, with a 25-liter drum rising from CF30,000 to CF52,000. Matadi, the capital of Kongo-Central, saw prices double in February, reaching CF60,000 for a 25-liter drum.
According to various media outlets quoting different sources, several factors are behind the price surge. Seasonal drought from January to March has significantly reduced palm oil production, particularly in northern provinces along the equator. At a February 5 meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, producers cited drought as one of the major challenges affecting plantations. Additionally, the advance of M23 rebels and their Rwandan allies in key production zones like North Kivu has disrupted supply chains and limited access to products.
The opening of new palm oil processing plants, such as Tshela, also boosted demand for palm nuts, subsequently exacerbating pressure on prices.
Despite its vast agricultural potential 60% of the DRC's estimated 280 million hectares are suitable for oil palm cultivation—the country struggles to meet domestic demand. By 2023, national consumption exceeded 500,000 tonnes annually, forcing palm oil to rank among the top five food imports. Kalaa Mpinga, Chairman of the FEC's National Agriculture and Forestry Commission, emphasized this gap in production capacity.
To address these challenges and boost production, the DRC plans to join the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) in 2025. Meanwhile, discrepancies in volume estimates highlight the need for better structuring within the sector.
This article was initially published in French by Boaz Kabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Rawbank and Equity BCDC, the two main banks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have turned to digital solutions to pay salaries in the eastern part of the country, currently invaded by M23 rebels and their Rwandan allies. This concerns especially Goma and Bukavu where the lenders recently had to shut their offices.
These arrangements were detailed last week at a meeting with Hilaire Ekobo, payment and monitoring director at the National Directorate for Teachers Wages (DINACOPE).
According to the meeting’s report, issued by the Ministry of National Education, Equity BCDC, one of the banks involved, has utilized digital platforms to credit teachers' accounts, allowing them to transfer funds to electronic wallets like Airtel Money, M-Pesa, or Orange Money via mobile banking apps. The funds can be withdrawn from authorized agents of telcos.
Going digital comes with drawbacks, including high withdrawal fees, of up to 10%. These significantly erode workers’ purchasing power. Regarding this, Rawbank has suggested using the Illico-Cash application for accessing funds and noted that ATMs remain operational.
According to the meeting’s report, bank representatives present have acknowledged the difficulties faced by teachers and other workers in using these digital solutions and have assured that improvements will be made.
The current challenges are not limited to civil servants; employees of NGOs and private companies also face similar hurdles in accessing their salaries due to the banking disruptions.
This article was initially published in French by Timothée Manoke (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho