Digital cooperation is crucial for driving technological advancement and economic growth. It allows countries to work together to address digital challenges and spur innovation.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs, Augustin Kibassa Maliba, is currently on an official visit to Warsaw, Poland, to strengthen digital cooperation between the two countries. This visit, which began on Thursday, November 7, seeks to finalize agreements on key projects aimed at advancing the DRC’s digital development.

According to a statement from the DRC’s ICT Ministry, the agreements will promote cooperation across key digital segments, including infrastructure modernization through the development of high-speed networks and data centers to improve connectivity. Cybersecurity is also a focal area, with initiatives designed to enhance defenses against cyberattacks.

Another priority is supporting e-government by digitizing public services to improve their efficiency and accessibility for citizens. Additionally, the agreements include plans to establish ICT training centers, aimed at developing young talent in the digital sector and stimulating innovation, especially by supporting tech startups.

This initiative is part of the “Horizon 2025” National Digital Plan, launched to drive the DRC’s digital transformation goals. It follows a recent meeting between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Polish President Andrzej Duda on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. The two leaders announced plans for future partnerships in digital transformation and defense.

As part of this collaboration, Poland will contribute its expertise, particularly in connectivity infrastructure. With an ultra-high-capacity network covering 81.1% of households, Poland is a leader in fiber optic technology—a model the DRC aims to emulate to reach its own connectivity targets by 2050. Leveraging Polish expertise, the DRC aims to achieve over 50% fiber optic coverage and connect more than 90% of its population to the mobile network by 2050, facilitating comprehensive digital transformation and inclusive economic growth.

Samira Njoya