05 July 2022

Africell is seeking more frequency spectrum to improve its telecom network coverage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Peter Pham, a member of the group's board of directors, raised the issue with Augustin Kibassa Maliba, minister of posts and telecommunications during an exchange on the sidelines of the 40th session of the Assembly of Parties of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO), which took place from 28 to 30 June.

Africell's move comes just over eight months after the company presented its investment plans in the country to prime minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge. The group planned to double the size of its network in the DRC, including a "huge expansion" of its network "especially in the east of the country".

In June 2021, the group had secured a $US105m syndicated loan to finance its African strategy. Meanwhile, the group has launched its commercial activities in Angola.

The telecom network expansion project in the DRC's hinterland is necessary in view of the increasing competition in the Congolese telecom market, driven by the growing demand for telecom services brought about by Covid-19.

The expansion of Africell's network is expected to enable the company to reach thousands more people.