Since 2020, the government of the DRC has multiplied initiatives in favor of the digital transformation of the country. Kinshasa wants to rely on better regulation of the ICT and telecom sector to achieve its objectives.
A new regulator of the telecommunications sector will soon see the light of day in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Augustin Kibassa (photo), Minister in charge of the sector, submitted to the Council of Ministers a draft decree on the creation, composition and functioning of the Regulatory Authority for Posts, Telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies (ARPTIC). It will replace the current Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Congo (ARPTC).
Mr. Kibassa explains that Law No. 20/017 of November 25, 2020 gives the government the power to create ARPTIC by decree deliberated in the Council of Ministers. The said law repeals that of 2002 on telecommunications, as well as that n°14/2002 of October 16, 2002 establishing the ARPTC.
The decree submitted for the approval of the Council of Ministers specifies, among other things, the missions of the new regulator, its supervision, its legal form and the resources necessary for the pursuit of its mission.
The creation of ARPTIC comes in a context marked by the constant evolution of the Congolese telecom sector with the emergence of new information and communication technologies. Hence the need for more appropriate regulation that goes beyond post and telecommunications. The creation of the new regulatory authority can also be seen as part of the actions undertaken since 2020 by the Congolese government to accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
Better regulation of the postal, telecommunications and ICT sector should in particular make it possible to guarantee healthy and fair competition between the various players in the sector and to accelerate its growth. It should also make it possible to improve consumer protection and guarantee them a better quality of service.
As a reminder, the penetration rate of mobile Internet in the country is 23.76%, while that of mobile services is 50.9%, according to the latest ARPTC report. The telecom market is disputed between four operators: Africell, Airtel, Orange and Vodacom. They respectively control 8.65%, 26.75%, 31.36% and 33.25% market share.