DRC’s sovereign satellite push gains momentum under Mpanda’s leadership
The Democratic Republic of Congo is on the cusp of a technological revolution. Minister of Posts and Telecommunications José Mpanda Kabangu is leading an ambitious drive to secure the country’s first sovereign satellite, a project he has pursued relentlessly since assuming office in 2019.
In a decisive move to advance this vision, Mpanda recently met with a high-level Chinese delegation from China Unicom and Genew Technologies. The June 5 meeting in Kinshasa focused on two critical infrastructure projects: the sovereign satellite initiative and the nationwide fiber-optic backbone rollout. This gathering follows the minister’s April mission to China, where initial agreements were solidified.
Key stakeholders joined the discussions, including experts from the General Secretariat of Posts, Telecommunications and New Information Technologies (PTNTIC), the Regulatory Authority for Post and Telecommunications (ARPTC), the Congolese Fiber Company (SOCOF), the National Satellite Telecommunications Network (RENATELSAT), and the National Remote Sensing Centre (CNT). Senior advisors from the Presidency and Prime Minister’s office specializing in PTNTIC matters were also in attendance.
Three core objectives guiding the satellite and fiber projects
The technical teams are working toward three primary goals:
- Technical and financial structuring: Finalizing the satellite’s technical architecture, cost estimation, and securing financing in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Finance.
- Institutional alignment: Ensuring all stakeholders—RENATELSAT, SCPT, SOCOF, CNC, CNT, SG PTNTIC, ARPTC, Presidency, and Prime Minister’s office—are formally notified and aligned on project parameters.
- Preparation for due diligence in China: Establishing the scope, timeline, delegate assignments, site visits, deliverables, and post-due diligence steps.
What the minister hopes to achieve
Mpanda is seeking four key outcomes from these negotiations:
- Validated technical solutions for both projects
- Finalized financing approaches
- Full alignment among all institutional partners
- A concrete plan for the upcoming due diligence mission
The project has garnered support from multiple government bodies, including the Presidency, Prime Minister’s office, Ministries of Posts and Telecommunications, Planning, Finance, Infrastructure, Mines, and the National Cybersecurity Council (CNC). Technical entities driving the initiative include the PTNTIC General Secretariat, ARPTC, FDSU, SOCOF, SCPT, RENATELSAT, and the CNT.
With Chinese experts scheduled to remain in Kinshasa until June 19 to continue technical exchanges, the momentum behind the DRC’s sovereign satellite and fiber-optic backbone is stronger than ever. These developments signal a transformative era for the country’s digital infrastructure and connectivity.
