The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Monacosat to enhance satellite connectivity aimed at bridging the digital divide, particularly in remote areas. This initiative is part of the Horizon 2025 National Digital Plan to improve digital infrastructure, with the potential to significantly increase internet access for millions of citizens. Current connectivity remains low, necessitating immediate intervention.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially partnered with Monacosat, a prominent satellite operator from Monaco, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to implement a satellite telecommunications network that leverages Monacosat’s satellite capabilities to significantly improve connectivity, especially in rural and remote regions. The Congolese Ministry of ICT highlighted the partnership as essential in bridging the digital divide, ensuring that more citizens gain access to mobile and fixed internet services. This initiative is a significant component of DRC’s Horizon 2025 National Digital Plan, which seeks to build a resilient digital infrastructure across the nation. It reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing digital connectivity and follows a recent agreement with the Polish government to further advance digital network expansion. Nonetheless, as of mid-2023, only 30.79% of the Congolese population had access to mobile internet, and merely 0.0174% used fixed internet services. The United Nations’ E-Government Survey 2024 indicated the DRC’s telecom infrastructure development index is substantially lower than the African average. Should negotiations succeed, Monacosat intends to increase its satellite coverage throughout the DRC using the TurkmenAlem52E/MonacoSAT satellite, which is already operational in Africa. This development promises to enhance educational and healthcare access for millions of Congolese, while also providing digital public services. Furthermore, it could serve as a solution to counteract the slow expansion of the fibre optic network in the region, which currently requires the addition of nearly 50,000 kilometers of coverage.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been grappling with significant challenges related to internet connectivity, especially in rural and underserved areas. The government has recognized the urgent need for improved digital infrastructure to facilitate access to critical services and information. The Horizon 2025 National Digital Plan was devised to address these deficiencies, and a partnership with a reliable satellite operator like Monacosat is seen as a key strategy to enhance connectivity and bridge existing digital gaps across the country.
The recent partnership between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Monacosat signifies a crucial step towards improving satellite connectivity in the region. With a focus on deploying a satellite telecommunications network, this collaboration aims to address the pressing digital divide faced by many Congolese citizens. If successful, it could transform access to essential services, providing substantial benefits to education, healthcare, and digital public service accessibility while paving the way for further digital infrastructure development in the DRC.
Original Source: broadcastmediaafrica.com
