DRC: 4.3 million people still lack mobile coverage, according to the FDSU
Nearly 4.3 million people living in about 3,000 localities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) still lack mobile coverage, according to a report from the Universal Service Development Fund (USDF). The future national strategy must prioritize areas where a lack of infrastructure limits access to digital services.
SUMMARY
The “State of Play Report” published on Friday, August 7, by the USDF highlights the extent of mobile coverage disparities in the country. Despite progress in digital transformation, a significant part of Congolese territory remains outside telecommunications networks.
The affected localities have a combined population of approximately 4.3 million inhabitants. The deficit primarily affects areas where telecommunications infrastructure is insufficient, making access to mobile services and, more broadly, digital usage challenging.
Underserved Areas at the Center of the Future Strategy
The report is meant to serve as a basis for developing a national strategy aimed at reducing coverage gaps. It should focus efforts on territories where the lack of infrastructure poses the main barrier to connectivity.
The available information does not yet specify the deployment schedule or the investments needed to cover the 3,000 identified localities. It also does not detail the financing modalities or the division of responsibilities among public authorities, the USDF, and telecom operators.
Expanding mobile coverage presents both an economic and social challenge for the DRC. It is crucial for access to digital services, mobile payments, information, and certain administrative services in a country marked by significant geographical disparities in infrastructure.
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