• Congo signs digital economy pact with China’s Genew Technologies
• Deal targets AI training, infrastructure, digital public services
• Part of $100M World Bank-backed Digital Transformation project
The Congolese government announced on Thursday, September 18, that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese technology company Genew Technologies. The partnership aims to develop the digital economy, strengthen critical infrastructure, and train young people in artificial intelligence (AI).
The agreement was signed by Léon Juste Ibombo (photo, right), the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit on the new industrial revolution being held in China. According to Ibombo, this is a new partner and investor in the government's vision to make the digital sector the fifth pillar of its National Development Plan 2022-2026. The government seeks to leverage information and communication technologies (ICT) for the country's socio-economic development.
The government's statement did not specify which digital projects the collaboration would cover. However, the country's flagship initiative in this area is the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (DTAP), which is supported by a $100 million World Bank loan and a 27 billion CFA francs (about $48.7 million) loan from the European Investment Bank.
According to the World Bank, this program focuses on the productive use of broadband to deliver digital public services. It aims to finance connectivity in isolated areas, establish a secure government intranet, develop a single portal for online citizen services, and implement multiple information systems to improve the management of public services.
In a June 2022 press release, the Bretton Woods institution stated that the project was expected to increase 3G mobile broadband availability for an additional 404,000 people. It would also provide 3,000 people with the opportunity to acquire certified digital skills and enable 75,000 people per day to access project-supported digital services.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
