DRC: Nokia proposes partnership to strengthen digital infrastructure
July 10th 2025
With a still low internet penetration rate and significant disparities between urban and rural areas, the DRC is accelerating its efforts to modernize its digital infrastructure and promote digital inclusion throughout the country.
On Monday, July 7, the Congolese Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs, Augustin Kibassa Maliba, received a delegation from Nokia, led by Alpin Verlet, Managing Director for Central and West Africa. At the heart of the discussions was a partnership project aimed at strengthening the DRC’s technological capabilities, particularly in digital infrastructure, transmission, cybersecurity, data centers, and other strategic services.
“Nokia is present in Africa and the DRC, through the majority of telecom operators and other private companies. The idea is for Nokia to become a partner of the Congolese government to provide the expertise necessary for the development of the network. We thanked the minister who is interested in our project. Nokia, with more than 20 billion dollars in turnover, wants to return and reinvest in the DRC to support the government in its vision ,” said Alpin Verlet.
This move comes as the Democratic Republic of Congo is intensifying its efforts to accelerate its digital transformation. While digital technology is seen as a key lever for modernizing public services, improving connectivity, stimulating innovation, and fostering digital inclusion, the country still faces significant challenges. With approximately 60% mobile penetration and only 34% internet access according to DataReportal (January 2025), the DRC still lags behind the continental average.
The gap is particularly marked between relatively well-served urban areas and rural areas, which are still poorly covered and often without electricity. In this context, a strategic partnership with a global player like Nokia, already involved in pan-African projects, notably with Liquid Intelligent Technologies, could be a turning point for improving connectivity in the DRC. Thanks to its advanced fiber optic, Cloud RAN, and Cloud-native RAN solutions, the company would be able to contribute to network densification, improving 3G/4G coverage in remote areas, and preparing the local ecosystem for the future adoption of 5G.
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