Orange and Vodacom have announced a partnership to create the first-ever rural tower collaboration in Africa. The initiative will focus on building, owning, and operating solar-powered mobile base stations in underserved regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This partnership is set to extend network coverage, bringing telecommunications and mobile financial services to up to 19 million people in rural communities, reinforcing efforts to bridge the digital divide and drive inclusive growth.
The DRC faces significant challenges in deploying and operating networks in remote areas. To address this, Orange and Vodacom have pledged to jointly construct up to 2,000 new solar-powered base stations over the next six years, utilizing 2G and 4G technologies. The initiative will begin with an initial commitment of 1,000 base stations, with the potential to scale up by an additional 1,000 towers, subject to approval from administrative, regulatory, and competition authorities.
This collaboration not only promises to improve population coverage but also enables access to voice, data, and mobile money services. The first base station is expected to go live in 2025. The companies will share both active and passive infrastructure, with an initial 20-year lease agreement. The joint venture will also offer its passive infrastructure to other mobile network operators (MNOs) where technically feasible, promoting greater service options for the population.
Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group, expressed the importance of the partnership, stating, “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. This partnership with Orange is a crucial step towards providing mobile coverage to people in previously underserved areas in the DRC.”
Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, highlighted the value of the partnership, saying, “Our longstanding presence in Africa, including over 10 years in the DRC, has equipped us with a deep understanding of the market and customer needs. Collaborating with Vodacom to share both passive and active infrastructure is the most effective approach to accelerating connectivity access, especially in rural areas, while minimizing our environmental footprint.”
ALSO READ: AFRICA’S UNICORNS: THE JOURNEY OF 9 STARTUPS WORTH OVER $16BN
The move is aligned with DRC’s National Digital Plan Horizon 2025, which aims to boost digital transformation and improve public services, economic growth, and equitable access to digital services. This initiative is expected to contribute to job creation, reduce the digital divide, and enhance the country’s GDP.
Orange RDC, a subsidiary of the Orange Group, has been a key player in the DRC’s digital landscape for nearly 12 years. The company has pioneered innovative connectivity solutions and remains committed to digital and social inclusion through initiatives like the Orange Digital Center & Clubs, which provide free digital training to thousands of young Congolese.
With more than 15 million subscribers and over 3,400 sites, over 90% of which are 4G-enabled, Orange continues to drive digital progress in the country.
