« Musuminyina katu wabula » – a Luba proverb meaning « perseverance leads to success » – perfectly encapsulates the relentless drive of José Mpanda Kabangu, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy. Having set his sights on securing a sovereign satellite for the nation, he remains undeterred, even after his initial stint at the helm of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation in 2019.
Last Friday, June 5th, Minister Mpanda welcomed a high-level delegation from China Unicom and Genew Technologies in Kinshasa for critical discussions on two transformative projects: the acquisition of a sovereign satellite and the nationwide expansion of fiber-optic infrastructure. This meeting follows his April mission to China, where preliminary agreements were solidified.
The gathering brought together key stakeholders, including experts from the General Secretariat of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy (PTNTIC), the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPTC), the Congolese Fiber Company (SOCOF), the National Satellite Telecommunications Network (RENATELSAT), the National Center for Remote Sensing (CNT), as well as senior presidential advisers and prime ministerial aides specializing in PTNTIC.
Minister Mpanda clarified that his China visit was a strategic mission to secure solutions for the DRC’s development needs. However, the deep technical discussions were entrusted to specialists from the Chinese firms, who arrived in Kinshasa on June 8th and will remain until June 19th to engage with Congolese experts. The talks focus on two landmark initiatives: the sovereign satellite project, for which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in April, and the national fiber-optic backbone, whose agreements were revised in 2025.
The negotiations aim to achieve three primary objectives:
- Technical and financial structuring: Finalizing the technical architecture, cost estimates, and financing modalities in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and the Ministry of Finance.
- Institutional alignment: Formal presentations to all key entities, including RENATELSAT, SCPT, SOCOF, CNC, CNT, SG PTNTIC, ARPTC, the Presidency, and the Prime Minister’s Office.
- Due diligence preparation: Defining scope, timelines, Congolese delegates, and site visits, alongside producing deliverables and outlining post-due diligence steps.
Minister Mpanda expects four key outcomes from these discussions:
- Validated technical solutions;
- Finalized funding approaches;
- Full alignment among stakeholders;
- A scheduled due diligence mission.
The project involves a broad coalition of institutions, including the Presidency, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministries of Posts and Telecommunications, Planning, Finance, Infrastructure, Mines, and the National Cyber Defense Council (CNC). Technical bodies like the SG PTNTIC, ARPTC, FDSU, SOCOF, SCPT, RENALSAT, and CNT are also central to the initiative.
