How has Vodacom contributed to more digital and internet connectivity within the DRC, especially in rural areas?

After 23 years in the DRC, Vodacom has established itself as the largest operator, reaching close to 24 million subscribers (36% of the market base). Vodacom has been at the forefront of fiber connectivity. We are working with two African WASP consortiums to connect the DRC to major internet hubs in Cape Town (South Africa), Mombasa (Kenya), and others. These consortiums manage undersea fiber optic cables running along the coasts of Africa, carrying traffic from the DRC through the Atlantic Ocean (west coast) and Indian Ocean (east coast).

We have also continued our focus on rural community empowerment. Through our Vodacom Foundation, we run several programs aimed at improving connectivity and inclusion, whether that’s providing access to mobile coverage (geo send), data, or financial services in underserved areas. Over the past decade, we have also deployed solar and battery systems to power about 1,000 rural sites.

Lastly, we have acquired new spectrum licenses. Spectrum is the radio frequency range that telecom networks use to send signals between devices and cell towers. By securing additional spectrum licenses, we’ve been able to expand coverage and improve the capacity of our services

What is Vodacom’s role in the mining sector?

We see ourselves as an enabler for the mining industry, both from a connectivity and telecoms services perspective, but also from a financial services and digital inclusion one. Our role extends to the entire ecosystem that gravitates around a mine, including the local communities.

Vodacom has also developed dedicated mining solutions. In conjunction with Standard Bank and Glencore, we launched HR platform Umoja. Umoja allows companies to share live information without disrupting the course of its core activity which is mining. In other words, employees gain access to payroll, training modules, real-time messaging while remaining on their respective working stations. The platform has already been implemented at Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) and Mutanda Mining (MUMI), with over 8,800 employees connected.

In addition, we offer terrestrial connections with speeds of up to 500 Mbps for rapid deployment, as well as satellite solutions for remote coverage, backup, safety monitoring, and secure communication.

We also provide Infrastructure-as-a-Service through our Lubumbashi data centers, hosting servers for the mining industry and other verticals with scalable capacity, leased lines, resilient power and advanced cooling. 

We also enhance mobile device connectivity in off-grid regions by deploying solar-powered stations, which we refer to as Ultra Low Cost Sites. These stations provide reliable internet access and enable customers to independently purchase data bundles, all powered by solar systems designed for autonomy and efficiency in areas without electrical infrastructure. 

Another key offering is financial solutions, tailored to companies of all sizes, for bulk payments, salary disbursements, and payments to subcontractors.

Could you elaborate on your partnerships with Orange and Airtel?

Vodacom has launched two strategic partnerships with other MNOs:  The first one is a JV with Orange to deploy rural coverage sites in areas with no existing network, thus helping accelerate rural inclusion in the digital economy. The second one is with Airtel Africa, and it targets the sharing of critical infrastructure to optimize capital expenditure, which is extremely high in countries like the DRC. Instead of duplicating CapEx, we can redirect these resources toward broader digital inclusion.

How connected is the DRC today, and what role is Vodacom playing in expanding access to mobile networks, the internet, and mobile money?

The DRC has a landmass of 2.4 million km2 – about seven times the size of Germany; it is also a landlocked country with a single outlet to the ocean (a narrow strip of land  near the city of Muanda). This geography is the backdrop of a challenging environment for connectivity, but also one of immense potential.

GSM penetration is currently seating at 56%, but some of our customers are multi-SIM users, which means there is probably more than half of the population still lacking 2G connection. Out of that base, about 35% have access to the internet, and about 27% use mobile money.

Vodacom’s network coverage currently stands at around 65% for 2G, 43–44% for 3G, and over 41% for 4G. Our strategy has been to migrate from legacy 3G to 4G, and today, more than 90% of our network sites are 4G-enabled. About a year and a half ago, we conducted a successful 5G trial, though this was limited to a lab environment. For now, we are monitoring the landscape to determine when and if large-scale 5G deployment will be relevant for the DRC. The most likely early use cases would be in the mining sector and for private networks.

On the device side, smartphone penetration is at about 40–41% of our customer base. This is a critical enabler of digital inclusion.

In terms of usage, we now have around 12.5 million active data customers on a 90-day basis.

Our M-Pesa mobile money app serves 7 million active 30-day customers and close to 15 million 90-day customers. 7 million active 30-day customers, and close to 15 million 90-day customers use M-Pesa.

What are some of the main programs under the Vodacom Foundation?

One of the flagship initiatives under the Foundation is Je Suis Tech (“I am Technology”), which has run 40 digital classes and offered 275 scholarships since 2018.  Je Suis Tech has been deployed in conjunction with the Ministry of Higher Education. Another program we are very proud of is “Code Like a Girl,” which introduces young girls to computer use, web page development, and coding. To date, over 5,336 girls have participated in Code Like a Girl, and we plan to scale this initiative to 6,000 girls by the end of 2025. 

In addition, the Vodacom Foundation’s commitment to inclusion is exemplified by the ‘JE SUIS CAP’ campaign, which has been running for three years in partnership with the Ministry of People Living with Disabilities. Through this initiative, 1,500 women living with disabilities have received training in basic technology skills, smartphone usage, and practical applications of M-PESA as a financial empowerment tool. Participants are also equipped with starting capital, enabling them to launch small businesses and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development. 

Separately, Vodacom has been working for almost four years with the Kadea Academy, offering training to around 10,000 people in digital skills, innovation, and inclusion. 

Do you have a final message for the mining community?

A few years ago, Vodacom started transitioning from solely a product and connectivity supplier to a technology and solutions provider for mining, offering a broad range of products and services. We continue to expand and strengthen our network and develop digital end-to-end solutions for the entire mining ecosystem, including local, rural, and urban communities around mining operations. Our approach is guided by a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the DRC’s mining sector, and a commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable growth. 

Vodacom has been in the DRC through challenging times and in tough areas. We will continue to be there. We believe mobile network operators are strong drivers of socio-economic transformation. As a leader in digital solutions in Africa, our commitment to the mining sector and surrounding communities is clear: we will continue to support, develop, and advocate for digital inclusion and broader economic growth.