• Congo connects 20 rural sites to high-speed internet
• $100M project aims to bridge digital divide by 2030
• All 76 sites to get 4G access by end of 2025
  

Congo’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, Léon Juste Ibombo, announced on Monday, October 13, the launch of 20 new high-speed internet access points in rural areas. The initiative, unveiled during a visit by a World Bank delegation to Brazzaville, aims to expand nationwide internet access and bridge the digital divide.

“To date, 76 connectivity sites have been built and equipped across the country,” the minister said. “Of these, 20 are now connected to high-speed internet, enabling rural communities to go online in real time.”

The rollout is part of the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PATN) and the National Digital Strategy 2030. The $100 million PATN program, co-financed by the World Bank and the European Union, is among the country’s largest-ever digital investments. The government has also allocated an additional $3 million to modernize infrastructure, prioritizing 4G technology to ensure a stable, high-quality connection.

Authorities plan to connect all 76 sites to 4G by year-end, a move expected to spur new economic and social opportunities in e-commerce, e-learning and e-government.

Beyond infrastructure, the project aims to narrow the digital gap between urban and rural areas and strengthen the government’s capacity to deliver online public services. Persistent obstacles remain, however, notably limited electricity coverage: according to the World Bank, 67% of urban residents have access to electricity compared with just 12.4% in rural areas.

Samira Njoya