DRC's $400M Contract with Monacosat Intends to Revolutionize Digital Connectivity in the DRC
Democratic Republic of Congo to Launch First National Communications Satellite with Monacosat
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is collaborating with Monacosat on a project to launch its first national communications satellite, a move that could significantly transform connectivity in the country where less than one-third of the population currently uses mobile internet.
High-level talks on the satellite project took place in Kinshasa, involving President Félix Tshisekedi, Monacosat's representative Jean-Philippe Anvam, and senior government members. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the government and Monacosat, securing access to capacity on the Monacosat-1 platform.
The financing structure for the project is still being finalized, but it has attracted financial pledges of up to USD 400 million. Fidelity Bank's CEO, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, announced the creation of a joint task force with the Ministry of Digital Economy to explore funding options. Fidelity Bank of Nigeria has expressed interest in supporting the satellite project in the DRC.
The satellite project is part of broader efforts to close the digital divide in the DRC. Officials in the DRC have looked toward satellite connectivity as a faster, more flexible solution to implement the fibre backbone, which, launched in 2019, has faced high costs and logistical challenges, slowing progress.
The planned satellite is expected to bolster cybersecurity in the DRC. It could also enable telemedicine, expand access to e-learning platforms, and stimulate growth across the DRC's digital economy. These developments highlight the country's growing momentum toward achieving universal access to fast, reliable digital services.
Starlink began commercial operations in the DRC in June 2025, offering new options for rural and remote communities. Notably, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) announced support in August 2025 for the project of creating the first communication satellite of the Democratic Republic of Congo, facilitated by the Fidelity Bank of Nigeria.
In a significant step, Fidelity Bank plans to establish a subsidiary in Kinshasa, with a focus on financial inclusion and investment in technology-driven projects. The satellite project could potentially be one of the first initiatives under this new subsidiary.
As the DRC moves forward with this ambitious project, it promises to bring about a digital revolution, bridging the gap in connectivity and paving the way for a more interconnected and technologically advanced future for the country.
Read also:
- Transforming Digital Inventories in the Food Industry: A Comprehensive Guide for Food Businesses
- Munich Airport Unveils Its New Electrical Vehicle Charging Parksite
- Vehicle electrification and bidirectional charging technologies could potentially reduce EU energy expenses by a staggering €22 billion annually by the year 2040.
- Rapid Construction of Rajasthan's 435 Megawatt Solar Power Plant in Eight Months Reduces Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Over 700,000 Tons
