• GSMA projects $4.1 bln in added value, 2.5 mln jobs, and 3,000 bln CDF in taxes
• Industry and agriculture seen as main drivers of digital transformation
• Poor internet access, high taxes, and weak energy supply remain key obstacles

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could add 11,800 billion Congolese francs (about $4.1 billion) to its economy, create nearly 2.5 million jobs, and raise around 3,000 billion CDF in extra tax revenue by 2029 if it speeds up its digital transformation. The forecast comes from the GSMA, the global association of mobile operators, in a report released on Thursday, September 18, at the Digital Africa Summit in Kinshasa.

The study, titled “The Digital Transformation of the DRC: Opportunities, Policy Reforms and the Role of Mobile Telecommunications,” highlights the impact of mobile technology on productivity across agriculture, industry, retail, and public services such as education, healthcare, and administration.

According to the GSMA, digital adoption can boost agriculture value chains, link producers to global markets, improve education and healthcare, cut transaction costs, and make government services more efficient and transparent.

Industry and agriculture to drive growth

The industrial sector is expected to bring the largest share of added value, at 6,500 billion CDF, equal to 6.5% of its GDP. It could also create 300,000 jobs and 1,000 billion CDF in new tax revenue. These gains will come from Industry 4.0 tools such as IoT, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, which can improve safety, cut downtime, raise productivity, and optimize manufacturing.

Agriculture, which represents 17% of GDP and employs 55% of the workforce, could add 2,100 billion CDF in value, 1.7 million jobs, and 300 billion CDF in extra taxes. Digital tools in farming could boost yields through better access to information, more accurate crop monitoring, improved access to markets, and more efficient value chains.

The services sector could add 1,900 billion CDF in value, 500,000 jobs, and 300 billion CDF in tax revenue. Digital solutions are expected to improve product marketing, logistics, and delivery services while lowering costs. In public administration, digitalization could deliver 1,300 billion CDF in new fiscal gains.

Government push for digital reforms

The DRC has already taken steps with its “Horizon 2025” digital plan, which aims to use technology as a driver of integration, good governance, economic growth, and social progress. The government also created a Ministry of Digital Economy to lead these efforts.

At the launch of the report, Minister Augustin Kibassa Maliba said government action is focused on five priorities: creating a reliable digital identity to include citizens and modernize administration; rolling out a national e-government portal; strengthening critical infrastructure such as data centers and connectivity platforms; improving cybersecurity and data protection; and supporting innovation and local start-ups to create jobs for young people.

He called for stronger cooperation with African and international partners and urged investors, tech firms, and donors to work with the government through public-private partnerships in infrastructure, inclusive digital projects, and capacity building. He stressed that these efforts would allow Congolese youth to take the lead in the digital revolution.

Telecoms still a bottleneck

Telecommunications are at the core of digital transformation, the GSMA said, since mobile connectivity underpins most digital services. But the DRC still faces major challenges in this area. Internet remains expensive for most people, whose incomes are low. By 2024, the country had about 18.1 million internet users, only 17% of the population, while mobile penetration reached 65%.

Other barriers include weak network coverage, nearly 50 different taxes and levies on the sector, and limited access to affordable and reliable electricity.