Mobile penetration reached 62%, with a ratio of more than 59 million active subscriptions in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the second quarter of 2024, i.e. between April, May and June. This announcement is contained in the mobile telephony market observatory recently published by the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Congo (ARPTC).
(Cio mag) – In the second quarter of 2024, the mobile penetration rate in the DRC reached 62%, with a total of 59.73 million active subscriptions. When it comes to the distribution of mobile operators’ market shares, the report highlights a general growth trend for all players in the sector. The operator Vodacom remains the leader with 36.78% of subscribers, followed by Orange with 28.33% and Airtel at 28.79%. Africell for its part holds 6.10% of the market.
Internet penetration
In this document, the regulator explains that the mobile internet market has also seen significant progress. During the period indicated, “more than 50% of mobile phone users in the DRC have access to mobile Internet”we read in the observation. The internet penetration rate recorded an increase of 0.8 points, going from 31.5% to “32.3% in the second quarter” of the past year. However, despite this progress, the distribution of mobile internet subscriptions on a national scale highlights notable disparities between the provinces.
High internet penetration remains mainly concentrated in certain regions, notably in Kinshasa, the capital, as well as in the east of the country, notably Haut-Katanga, North Kivu, South Kivu and Lualaba. This concentration highlights a persistent digital divide in the DRC.
Mobile currency
Regarding the mobile money sector, note that it is also experiencing significant growth, with a penetration rate reaching 25.7%. Mobile money transactions generated revenue of USD 3.23 million last quarter. The operator Vodacom maintains its leading position in this market, with its M-Pesa service which holds 47.33% of the total mobile money market share. It is followed by Airtel, with its Airtel Money service, which represents 36.25%, Orange with Orange Money at 16.00%, and Africell with Afrimoney, which captures 0.43% of the market.
To read: Khalil F. Al Americani, CEO of Vodacom Congo SA (DRC) & PCA of VODACASH, FinTech subsidiary of Vodacom Congo SA (DRC): “Digitalization at the heart of our commitment in the DRC”
Enock Bulonza
Journalist specializing in ICT and health, passionate about emerging technologies, and Cio-Mag correspondent for the African Great Lakes region.
