The initiative seeks to bridge the digital divide in rural and remote areas by enhancing connectivity through Monacosat’s capabilities.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Monaco’s leading satellite operator, Monacosat. The partnership will focus on finalising plans to deploy a satellite telecommunications network in the DRC using Monacosat’s satellite capacity. According to a statement from the Congolese Ministry of ICT, the initiative seeks to bridge the digital divide in rural and remote areas by enhancing connectivity through Monacosat’s capabilities.

“We have decided to work closely together and consult on matters of mutual interest, focusing on the deployment of a satellite telecommunications network in the DRC through the acquisition of satellite capacity from Monacosat,” the statement read.

The initiative is a key pillar of the DRC’s ambitious Horizon 2025 National Digital Plan, designed to establish a resilient digital infrastructure and foster nationwide connectivity. Furthermore, it builds on a recent collaboration with the Polish government to accelerate the expansion of digital networks across the country.

Despite government initiatives, the country still struggles with low connectivity rates. As of June 30, 2023, data from the Congo Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPTC) revealed that only 30.79% of Congolese had access to mobile internet, while a mere 0.0174% utilised fixed internet services. The United Nations’ latest E-Government Survey 2024, released in September, underscored this disparity. It further reported that the DRC’s telecom infrastructure development index is just 0.1591, significantly below the African average of 0.4534.

If negotiations prove successful, Monacosat plans to expand its coverage across the DRC through the TurkmenAlem52E/MonacoSAT satellite, already active in Africa. This initiative holds the potential to connect millions of Congolese, while enhancing access to education, healthcare, and digital public services. Additionally, it could help bridge gaps caused by delays in expanding the fiber optic network, which requires nearly 50,000 kilometers of additional coverage.