Like most African countries nowadays, DRC is particularly focused on developing its digital economy. Since the creation of its Ministry of Digital Affairs, the ministry has taken several actions to make digital technologies tools for integration, good governance, economic growth, and social progress.
Last Tuesday, the DRC parliament pre-approved the digital law presented by Digital Minister Désiré-Cashmir Eberande Kolongele (photo). According to the official, "the adoption of this legal framework aims to regulate the new digital economy, secure investment in the sector and oversee this large sector by seeking a balance between, on the one hand, the freedom principles- including economic freedom and freedom of speech, information and opinion and the right of assembly- and, on the other hand, privacy protection and the protection of public order.”
On August 26, 2022, during a ministerial council, President Felix Tshisekedi instructed the elaboration of a legal framework that would govern the country’s digital transformation. On October 14, the government approved the framework after reviews and comments from some specialized international organizations.
The digital law focuses on cybersecurity, the establishment of a law governing digital activities and services, and the establishment of bodies, and specific public institutions to support and control the digital ecosystem. Those bodies are namely the Digital Regulatory Authority, the National Authority for Electronic Certification, the Data Protection Authority, and the National Agency for Cybersecurity. The digital code also focuses on the establishment of rules organizing the security and protection of digital information systems.
It should be noted that the new law, which is now under thorough review, will complement the law of November 25, 2020, on telecommunications and information technology and communication. Indeed, that law had shown weaknesses because it does not take into account the protection of personal data, cybersecurity, and cybercrime.
Samira Njoya
