DRC is Building a $1.5 Billion Fibre Network Along the Congo River

The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Genew Technologies to build a $1.5 billion fiber-optic network along the Congo River, in one of the country’s biggest digital infrastructure projects aimed at expanding broadband connectivity.

The agreement, signed by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs and Genew Technologies, envisages about 2,100 km (1,305 miles) of infrastructure, including 1,700 km of fiber-optic cable running along the Congo River from Muanda on the Atlantic coast to Kisangani, and nearly 400 km of terrestrial links.

The ministry said the project would establish key connectivity corridors to strengthen and expand the country’s national broadband network.

It said the Congo River and its tributaries would serve as deployment corridors, allowing the project to avoid some of the challenges that have slowed infrastructure development in the vast Central African nation, including poor road conditions, logistical constraints and security risks.

Genew Technologies Chief Executive Wu Minhua said the project is expected to cost about $1.5 billion, with more than $400 million required for the first phase.

The project comes as governments and telecom operators across Africa accelerate investment in fiber infrastructure to improve internet access and support growing demand for digital services.

Last month, Seacom launched a high-capacity terrestrial fiber route linking Nairobi and Kampala, strengthening one of East Africa’s busiest digital corridors.

In June, Telecom Namibia partnered with Demshi Investment Holdings to accelerate fiber deployment, while in April the African Development Bank approved a $200 million loan for Nigeria’s Project Bridge broadband expansion programme.

Earlier this year, Vodacom Mozambique and Bayobab Zambia launched a cross-border fiber interconnection linking the two countries. Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom and Sudan’s Sudatel Group also formalized a cross-border optical fiber agreement, while Chad’s government urged operators Sotel and Airtel to resume talks on a fiber route connecting Chad and Cameroon.

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