The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government is working to improve the country's telecommunications infrastructure and expand access to telecom services nationwide. In March 2023, a 620 km fiber optic cable connecting Kinshasa and Muanda was inaugurated

The SOCOF SA, Congolese Fiber Optic Company, has signed a partnership agreement with the Agency for Coordination and Monitoring of Collaboration Agreements (APCSC) to deploy fiber optics along roads throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The one-year collaboration, which is renewable, is part of the Congolese government's efforts to use digital technology as a driver for integration, good governance, economic growth, and social progress.

According to Freddy-David Lukaso, the special advisor to the president on posts, telecommunications, and ICT, the government has convinced various entities responsible for transport infrastructure to include fiber optic "information highways" in their projects. SOCOF has been tasked with managing the deployment of these data infrastructures by APCSC.

In March 2023, a 620 km fiber optic route between Kinshasa and Muanda was inaugurated to strengthen the national ICT infrastructure. The government is also working to operationalize a universal service fund to connect every Congolese citizen "wherever they are" within the national territory.

The project aims to improve the population's access to telecommunications services and digital services more broadly. As of the third quarter of 2023, the DRC had 28.9 million mobile internet subscribers, with a penetration rate of 30.4%. The number of mobile phone subscribers stood at 56.1 million.

Isaac K. Kassouwi