• DR Congo issues new rules for regulated digital services

• Framework sets authorization process, five-year renewable permits

• Operators must comply by July 2026 or face sanctions

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s digital economy minister has introduced a new regulatory framework for certain digital activities and services in the country.

In an order signed on March 11, 2026, Digital Economy Minister Augustin Kibassa Maliba outlined the procedures for reviewing applications and granting authorizations for activities requiring prior approval under the Digital Code.

The order provides a transitional period until June 30, 2026, for affected operators to comply with the new requirements. From July 1, 2026, the provisions will take full effect.

The measure does not apply to all digital operators. It covers only activities and services that require authorization.

Affected entities include operators building data centers; qualified trust service providers (including electronic signatures, seals, timestamping, archiving, certification, website authentication, electronic registered mail and cryptology); application hosting providers; certain large digital platforms such as cloud services, online marketplaces, app stores, social networks, content-sharing platforms, online banking platforms, fintech firms, matchmaking platforms and search engines; as well as essential digital services.

During the transition period, responsibility for processing authorization applications has been assigned to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Congo (ARPTC). The regulator will verify the completeness and compliance of application files, assess applicants’ legal, technical, organizational and financial capacity, and issue a recommendation to the minister, who retains final decision-making authority.

Authorizations valid for five years

To obtain authorization, applicants must submit a file including legal, tax, technical and administrative documents, a detailed description of the relevant activities, and a business plan.

Authorizations are valid for five years and may be renewed. They do not exempt holders from complying with other applicable legal and regulatory obligations.

The order also includes administrative sanctions in cases of non-compliance, including fines, reduced validity periods, suspension or withdrawal of authorization. Operating without the required authorization may also expose operators to penalties under existing legislation.

Through this order, the government aims to implement the Digital Code and tighten oversight of segments of Congo’s digital economy deemed strategic or sensitive.

Boaz Kabeya, with Bankable