22/04/2026
BREAKING: Congo Launches $8.7B Digital Plan to Train 250K Youth and Connect 30M People
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has unveiled an ambitious $8.7 billion national digital transformation plan for 2026–2030, a major step toward modernizing the country’s digital infrastructure and expanding access to technology.
The initiative, launched under the leadership of President Félix Tshisekedi, aims to connect up to 30 million people across the country while preparing a new generation of Congolese youth for the digital economy.
The plan will dramatically expand connectivity, increasing the country’s fiber-optic network from roughly 6,000 miles to nearly 31,000 miles, while telecom towers are expected to grow from about 5,150 to 30,000 nationwide, including solar-powered base stations designed to reach remote communities.
A central pillar of the strategy is youth empowerment and job creation. Authorities plan to train 250,000 young Congolese in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital technologies, with the broader digital economy expected to create up to 700,000 jobs.
The program also includes the construction of Tier-3 data centers, including a flagship facility in Kinshasa, and the rollout of modern e-government services, such as blockchain-based digital identity systems and a national interbank digital payments platform.
Officials say the strategy reflects President Tshisekedi’s vision to position the DRC as a regional digital hub, strengthening technological sovereignty while accelerating economic diversification.
The plan will be financed through public investment, private partnerships, and support from international development partners, marking one of the largest digital development initiatives ever launched in the country.
🇨🇩 With millions set to gain access to digital services, the initiative signals Congo’s determination to move from a resource-driven economy toward a technology-enabled future.