Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi has endorsed plans for the country’s first national communications satellite, a $400 million project in partnership with Monacosat aimed at expanding internet access across the vast nation. Financing has already been secured, according to Monacosat’s representative Jean-Philippe Anvam.
The initiative will provide high-speed internet nationwide, with a focus on underserved rural areas where fibre and mobile networks remain limited. It is also expected to enhance cybersecurity, strengthen telemedicine, support remote learning, and boost Congo’s growing digital economy.
With internet penetration below 25%, the DRC lags behind regional peers despite being Africa’s second-largest country by landmass and home to nearly 100 million people. The government views the satellite as a cornerstone for bridging the urban-rural digital divide and reducing reliance on copper and cobalt exports.
Other African nations, including Nigeria, Angola, and South Africa, have already deployed national satellites to improve sovereignty in cyberspace. For Congo, the Monacosat partnership signals an attempt to leapfrog into a digitally connected future, though success will depend on rollout speed and ensuring affordable access for rural populations.
