Drc’s push for sovereign satellite gains momentum under josé mpanda

The Congolese Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, José Mpanda Kabangu, remains steadfast in his commitment to secure a sovereign satellite for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a project he initiated during his tenure at the helm of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation in September 2019. His unwavering determination is encapsulated in the Luba proverb « Musuminyina katu wabula », meaning « perseverance always leads to success ».

On June 5, Minister Mpanda welcomed a high-level delegation from China Unicom and Genew Technologies in Kinshasa. The meeting, part of a broader effort to advance the satellite project and expand the national fiber-optic backbone, followed a recent technical mission to China in April. The discussions aimed to finalize the technical and financial frameworks for both initiatives, with the Memorandum of Understanding for the satellite project signed earlier this year and the fiber-optic backbone agreements revised in 2025.

Key stakeholders from RENATELSAT, the National Agency for Telecommunications Regulation (ARPTC), the Congo Fiber Company (SOCOF), the National Space Remote Sensing Center (CNT), and senior advisors from the Presidency and Prime Minister’s Office participated in the deliberations. The technical teams from China, currently in Kinshasa until June 19, are engaged in in-depth exchanges with Congolese experts to refine project details.

The discussions focus on three core objectives:

• Technical and financial structuring: Finalizing the satellite’s technical architecture, cost estimates, and securing financing agreements with the Ministry of Planning and Ministry of Finance.
• Institutional alignment: Formalizing the roles of all involved entities, including RENATELSAT, SOCOF, CNT, ARPTC, and the National Cybersecurity Council (CNC).
• Due diligence preparation: Outlining the scope, timeline, and logistical details for an upcoming fact-finding mission to China.

Minister Mpanda has set clear expectations for the outcome of these negotiations, including validated technical solutions, finalized funding approaches, aligned institutional roles, and a confirmed due diligence schedule. The broader project involves multiple ministries—Posts and Telecommunications, Infrastructure, Mines, Planning, Finance, and Cybersecurity—alongside specialized agencies to ensure seamless implementation.

This strategic push underscores the DRC’s ambition to reduce reliance on foreign satellite services, enhance telecommunications resilience, and bridge the digital divide across its 145 territories. The government’s proactive engagement with international partners reflects a broader vision to modernize the country’s digital infrastructure and foster sustainable technological growth.