DRC: USD 1 billion investment to become a digital hub by 2030
September 29th 2025
In Africa, digital technology is seen as a catalyst for socio-economic development in the coming years. In the DRC, the GSMA has estimated the potential of digital technology at $4.1 billion by 2030.
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) plan to invest USD 1 billion by 2030 to transform the country into a digital hub. The investment program was announced by Augustin Kibassa Maliba, Minister of the Digital Economy, at the “DRC Digital Nation 2030” forum held on September 26 on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
According to the minister, the funds will primarily be devoted to strengthening connectivity, considered the ” essential foundation of digitalization .” While no specific projects have yet been detailed, this may refer to improving telecommunications services through investments in telecom towers, fiber optics, and other infrastructure.
Currently, according to official data, the telephone penetration rate is 63%, compared to 34% for the Internet. In a recent report, the Global Association of Telephone Operators (GSMA) estimates the mobile Internet penetration rate at only 17% by 2024.
” With this substantial investment of 1 billion US dollars from the State’s own funds, spread over 5 years for the digital sector, as announced by the Head of State, PNN [National Digital Plan “Horizon 2025”, Editor’s note] projects that could not be carried out due to a lack of direct State funding will be able to be executed ,” declared Dominique Migisha, coordinator of the Digital Development Agency, in a publication on X on Saturday, September 27.
A new four-point strategic plan
Mr. Kibassa Maliba also presented a new National Digital Development Plan – Horizon 2030, designed to coordinate government action, based on four major areas. The first is the development of digital infrastructure, including connectivity and data hosting solutions.
The plan also provides for the implementation of e-government to provide the DRC with modern, digitalized public services that comply with international standards. It includes strengthening digital governance, particularly through cybersecurity solutions, and places particular emphasis on digital skills training, targeting women and young people.
This initiative is part of the Congolese authorities’ strategy to “make Congolese digital technology a lever for integration, good governance, economic growth, and social progress.” The GSMA, for example, estimates that digital technology could add approximately $4.1 billion to the DRC’s economy by 2029.
Currently, the Central African country ranks 179th out of 193 countries in 2024, according to the United Nations e-Government Development Index (EGDI). The country recorded a score of 0.2715 out of 1, below the average in Central Africa (0.3354), Africa (0.4247), and the world (0.6382).
But not without private actors
The minister reiterated that the ambition to make the DRC a digital hub cannot be achieved without synergy between the government, public institutions, and private stakeholders. During the launch of a GSMA report on the country, he had already emphasized the need for strong cooperation with African and international partners, inviting investors, technology companies, and donors to join forces with the government through public-private partnerships, financing inclusive digital projects, and strengthening local capacities.
On the sidelines of the “DRC Digital Nation 2030” forum, Mr. Kibassa met with the American company Unity Development Fund, which expressed its intention to invest in the DRC, particularly in the digital sector. The projects discussed focus on strengthening digital infrastructure, promoting technological innovation, and supporting young entrepreneurs in the sector.
Since the beginning of the year, the government has also approached several partners such as Microlink, Starlink, Nokia, S2T Technopole Elghazela, Genew, Zhongshi Wosen and Trident as well as local operators (Africell, Vodacom, Orange, Helios Towers). In February, for example, a billion-dollar memorandum of understanding was signed with the Indian company General Technologies for digital projects.
In June, Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba Likunde also signed a series of financing agreements totaling $1.9 billion with the World Bank, including $400 million specifically allocated to digital technology. €100 million (approximately $117 million) is also expected from the European Union.
Back