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Vodacom and Orange have announced a pioneering rural towerco partnership aimed at improving mobile connectivity in underserved areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The partnership will focus on building, owning, and operating solar-powered mobile base stations in rural regions, providing vital access to telecommunications and mobile financial services for up to 19 million people.
The project seeks to bridge the digital divide in impoverished areas by extending network coverage through the construction of up to 2,000 solar-powered base stations over the next six years, leveraging 2G and 4G technology.
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The collaboration begins with a commitment to build 1,000 base stations, with the potential to expand by another 1,000 depending on the success of the initial phase.
Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group, emphasised the significance of the project, stating, “With a footprint serving over 210 million customers across Africa, we have the opportunity to significantly contribute to the continent’s socio-economic development by building a digital society and fostering inclusivity for all.” Joosub noted that the partnership aligns with Vodacom’s mission to connect for a better future, bringing mobile coverage to previously underserved communities in the DRC.
The joint venture will provide consumers with access to voice, data, and mobile money services, all of which are essential for driving economic growth in rural areas.
The first base station is slated to begin operations in 2025, and both Vodacom and Orange will share active and passive infrastructure for a 20-year period.
This infrastructure will also be made available to other mobile network operators (MNOs) to further expand coverage and service options, wherever technically feasible.
Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, highlighted the company’s longstanding presence in Africa and the DRC, saying, “Collaborating with Vodacom by sharing both passive and active infrastructure is the most effective approach to fulfilling our commitment to accelerating connectivity access for everyone, including rural areas, while minimising our environmental footprint.”
Currently, mobile internet penetration in the DRC stands at just 32.3%. This initiative is in line with the DRC’s National Digital Plan Horizon 2025, adopted in 2019, which aims to foster digital transformation, improve public services, and enhance economic growth through equitable access to digital services.
The collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to the DRC’s digital economy by enhancing e-citizenship, e-government, and e-commerce. It will also create job opportunities, narrow the digital divide, and boost the country’s GDP, marking a significant step toward achieving the DRC’s vision for a digitally connected future.
