In 2023, the Democratic Republic of the Congo saw a significant increase in mobile subscribers, with more than half of its vast population now connected.
The Congolese Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority reported an addition of 6.4 million mobile subscribers throughout the year, bringing the total number from 49.8 million to 56.2 million, a rise of 12.8%.
This represents approximately 59.1% of the DRC’s extensive population of 95.2 million, although the actual figure may be lower due to the widespread use of multiple SIM cards, as noted by the regulator.
The government has actively promoted initiatives to increase private sector involvement in mobile connectivity, such as the collaboration between the Congolese Fiber Optic Company and the Agency for Coordination and Monitoring of Collaboration Agreements to install fiber optic cables along roadways.
By expanding mobile access, the government aims to facilitate broader access to internet-based information and financial services, which have proven beneficial to the economies of African nations. However, mobile money penetration currently stands at only 23.3%, with mobile internet penetration at 31.5%.
