DR Congo Pushes Digital ID, AI and Cybersecurity Reforms
October 5th 2026
- The RDC-PASS digital identification system entered its first operational phase in September with 50 registration agents trained.
- The government validated national strategies for the digital economy and artificial intelligence and created new digital certification and cybersecurity bodies.
- Digital access remains a major constraint, with only 45% of the population covered by a mobile network capable of providing internet access in 2025.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has advanced a series of digital reforms over the past year, from digital identification and artificial intelligence strategies to electronic certification and cybersecurity. Digital Economy Minister Augustin Kibassa Maliba presented the main projects led by his department since Prime Minister Judith Suminwa’s government took office during the RTNC program “Redevabilité” on September 28.
Among the initiatives highlighted by the minister is RDC-PASS, launched in June by President Félix Tshisekedi. The ministry presents the system as a tool designed to make it easier to identify and authenticate Congolese citizens when they access digital services.
Implementation entered its first operational phase in September with the training of 50 agents responsible for registration. The government plans to gradually extend the rollout.
Kibassa Maliba also cited the validation of the Digital Economy Sector Policy (PSEN) and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (SNIA). The two documents set out the country’s policy directions in areas that include infrastructure, skills, innovation, data governance and cybersecurity.
The minister also highlighted a project to collect linguistic data in Lingala. The initiative is intended to contribute to the development of artificial intelligence tools adapted to the Congolese context.
New institutions to secure digital services
The minister’s review also highlighted the creation of new institutions designed to support the digitalization of public administration.
Prime Minister Judith Suminwa signed decrees establishing the Digital One-Stop Shop and the National Electronic Certification Agency. The Digital One-Stop Shop is intended to facilitate access to online government services, while the certification agency will oversee electronic certification.
Cybersecurity represents another part of the reform agenda cited by Kibassa Maliba. A National Cybersecurity Agency was established by presidential ordinance to help protect the Congolese cyberspace, prevent risks and strengthen the resilience of digital systems.
The minister also pointed to continued efforts to raise awareness of the Digital Code among government departments, businesses, young people and users. Adopted in 2023, the code provides the legal framework for several areas of digital activity, particularly data and electronic services.
Digital access still limits the sector’s potential
The reforms, however, are advancing in a market where several constraints continue to limit access to digital services.
According to a GSMA study published in September 2025, only 45% of the Congolese population was covered by a mobile network capable of providing internet access.
GSMA estimates that targeted reforms in infrastructure, taxation, spectrum and energy could connect an additional 9.7 million users and add 9.8 trillion Congolese francs ($4.24 billion) to GDP by 2029.
The cost of smartphones and mobile data plans, weak infrastructure in some areas and unreliable electricity access are among the obstacles identified by GSMA. The organization also recommends simplifying taxation in the sector and improving investment conditions for telecommunications infrastructure.
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