Congo: 20 broadband access points operational in rural areas (Minister)
October 16th 2025
The ongoing digital transformation in Congo is leaving rural populations marginalized from digital opportunities. With the deployment of the first broadband sites, the country is entering a turning point that will soon enable expanded access to digital services and distance learning.
Congolese Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy Léon Juste Ibombo (pictured, center) announced on Monday, October 13, the launch of 20 broadband connectivity sites in rural areas. The initiative, announced during a visit to Brazzaville by a World Bank delegation for the Africa Region, aims to democratize internet access across the country and bridge the digital divide.
As of today, seventy-six connectivity sites have been built and equipped across the country. Of these, twenty are already connected to high-speed internet, to enable the hinterland population to connect in real time ,” the minister said.
This deployment is part of the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PATN) and the broader framework of the 2030 digital strategy. Co-financed by the World Bank and the European Union to the tune of $100 million, the PATN represents one of the largest investments ever made in the Congolese digital sector. The government has also mobilized an additional $3 million to modernize infrastructure, prioritizing 4G technology to ensure a stable and efficient connection.
In this context, the government has set itself the objective of connecting 76 sites to 4G by the end of the year, while opening up new economic and social opportunities for rural communities, particularly in e-commerce, e-learning and e-government.
Beyond infrastructure alone, this initiative aims to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas and strengthen the state’s capacity to deliver effective digital services. However, the government faces persistent challenges, particularly limited access to electricity. According to the World Bank, 67% of the urban population has electricity, compared to only 12.4% in rural areas.
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