Vodacom and Orange have announced a groundbreaking partnership to enhance rural connectivity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This program unveiled on Tuesday is the first rural TowerCo partnership in Africa and targets underprivileged areas.
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Expanding access to connectivity
The joint venture first intends to install 1,000 solar-powered mobile base stations, with plans to add another 1,000 over six years.
This initiative would greatly increase access to mobile financial services and telecommunications in rural areas by providing 2 G and 4 G services to over 19 million people.
Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub emphasised the potential impact of this initiative: “With a footprint serving over 210 million customers across Africa, we have the opportunity to significantly contribute to the continent’s socio-economic development by building a digital society and fostering inclusivity for all.”
Orange Middle East and Africa CEO Jérôme Hénique highlighted the partnership’s environmental benefits, stating that sharing infrastructure minimises their ecological footprint while enhancing connectivity.
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With 32.3 percent mobile Internet penetration in the DRC, Orange and Vodacom’s announcement to build new base stations corresponds with the country’s 2019 National Digital Plan Horizon 2025 ambition for the digital economy.
It also encourages digital transformation across all sectors to boost public services, economic growth, and digital access.
This effort, which will focus on e-citizenship, e-government, and e-commerce, is anticipated to generate employment, close the digital divide, and increase the nation’s GDP.