The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to face a significant digital divide. New initiatives are emerging to address this challenge, including the Smart Village Project, which aims to reduce digital inequality and expand access to essential services
The DRC signed a partnership agreement with Chinese tech multinational Huawei to launch a pilot smart village. The project is designed to improve living conditions in rural communities by integrating digital technologies into an ecosystem of connected services and smart devices.
“I was honored to represent Prime Minister Judith Suminwa at the signing of the partnership agreement with Huawei for equipping a pilot smart village. This is a decisive step toward inclusive connectivity in the DRC, the promotion and development of ICT talent,” tweeted Mickael Lukoki Nsimba, Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Suminwa.
“This project reflects our commitment to providing rural populations with equal access to digital opportunities while laying the foundation for a modern, transparent, and connected state,” said Nsimba during the signing ceremony.
As a pilot, the smart village is intended to demonstrate the feasibility of deploying technological solutions tailored to local needs. The project will include high-speed internet access, youth training in digital skills, and the digital connection of public services such as civil registry, healthcare, and education.
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The initiative is part of the Congolese government’s national digital transformation strategy, which seeks to modernize the state and reduce disparities in digital access. It also aligns with a broader continental trend supported by institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank, which view rural digitization as a driver of sustainable development and social inclusion.
In the DRC, where the digital divide is particularly stark, the smart village project represents a structural response to unequal access to connectivity. According to the Congolese Regulatory Authority for Post and Telecommunications (ARPTC), only 30.79% of Congolese had access to mobile internet by mid-2023, and just 0.0174% had access to fixed internet, highlighting the significant gap between urban and rural areas.
This imbalance is exacerbated by high data costs, limited telecom infrastructure in remote regions, and the low integration of digital services in public administration.
By equipping rural areas with digital infrastructure, the Congolese government aims to stimulate local economic development, strengthen access to essential services, and promote digital inclusion. The pilot project could also serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges.
