In this exclusive interview, Khalil Al Americani, CEO of Vodacom RDC, details the company’s progress and challenges in its quest to improve access to connectivity, especially in rural areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Discover how Vodacom RDC navigates between technological innovation and the demands of a changing market.
What are the main ongoing or upcoming initiatives to expand coverage and access to connectivity, particularly in rural areas in the DRC?
Since 2013, Vodacom Congo has pioneered improving connectivity in rural areas through its innovative program to deploy sites powered by solar and battery systems, called Rural Coverage Sites (RCS). Today, we have nearly 1,000 of these sites, providing essential connectivity to more than 1.6 million subscribers. At the same time, we are committed to bridging the digital divide in rural communities through empowerment programs, training and the deployment of digital classrooms. These initiatives enable rural populations to fully participate in the digital economy and benefit from the opportunities offered by connectivity.
Indeed, Vodacom Congo in its DNA is committed to improving connectivity and reducing the digital divide in the Democratic Republic of Congo through several strategic initiatives. This is how we entered into a partnership with Intelsat, aimed at strengthening the coverage and resilience of satellite communication services.
We have also massively invested more than $1.7 billion in infrastructure, to accelerate the deployment of 5G and modernize existing 3G and 4G networks. These investments are essential to providing high-quality services to our customers and supporting the country’s economic growth.
In addition, we work closely with satellite capacity providers to connect the branches of large companies that trust us. These companies often operate in remote and difficult-to-access areas due to the lack of traditional infrastructure such as roads, microwaves or fiber optics. Through these partnerships, we are able to provide reliable and continuous connectivity, ensuring continuity of operations and economic development even in the most isolated regions.
Finally, in collaboration with other industry operators, Vodacom Congo actively participates in the 2Africa and WACS consortiums to open up rural areas thanks to submarine cables in West Africa. These projects aim to expand fiber optic connectivity, linking multiple continents and improving internet access across the country.
How does Vodacom RDC intend to navigate between 2G/3G technologies and modern infrastructures such as 4G and 5G?
Concerning 5G, we have carried out conclusive technological tests in collaboration with the regulator. However, for the moment, we are focusing our efforts on the expansion of 4G, while continuing to develop 3G in areas where 4G is not yet accessible, both in terms of network and availability of compatible smartphones. Our strategy is progressive: we deploy 2G, 3G and 4G technologies according to local needs and opportunities. 5G will be implemented as soon as the regulator makes the license available. We are also investing heavily in infrastructure and have acquired additional spectrum to improve the coverage and capacity of our network. Finally, we adapt our approach according to the demographic and economic specificities of the different regions of the DRC, in order to optimize the impact of our investments.
What is your strategy against cyber threats?
In today’s environment, cyberattacks represent a major threat, potentially costing businesses and governments billions of dollars. At Vodacom Congo, we have put in place a robust strategy to protect our network, our subscribers and our partners. We have a dedicated cybersecurity team, using the most advanced technologies and techniques to prevent and detect threats.
Our strategy is framed by the Cyber Adaptive Risk Model, a framework focused on emerging risks and consistent with international best practices. We carry out regular audits with independent organizations, raise awareness among our staff through mandatory training and use advanced technologies such as multi-factor authentication.
Finally, our firewalls and intrusion detection systems constantly monitor our network to block any suspicious activity.
What are Vodacom RDC’s strategies to improve the quality of the network while maintaining accessible services in a context of economic crisis?
At Vodacom Congo, our priority is to continually invest in our infrastructure, whether radio networks, transmission or support systems. We actively optimize our resources by sharing our infrastructure with other operators, which allows us to reduce costs while expanding our coverage, particularly in rural areas.
We use advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to improve our services in a targeted and efficient manner. Thanks to our service Just4U, we offer personalized and segmented offers, adapted to the specific needs of each client.
Our strategic partnerships with technology companies, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the ConnectU platform, allow us to offer innovative and affordable solutions. Additionally, we actively promote financial and digital inclusion through initiatives to improve access to connectivity and financial services, including through our M-Pesa platform.
By pooling infrastructure with other operators and partners, such as tower, fiber optic and satellite providers, we optimize our impact and extend our reach.
What are Vodacom RDC’s plans to expand the use of M-Pesa?
M-Pesa is a central pillar of our strategy, offering a range of services tailored to individuals, businesses and public institutions. For example, we have partnered with the Water Authority (REGIDESO) to facilitate the payment of water bills via M-Pesa, thereby simplifying the management of utilities for our users.
We also launched M-Pesa Extension, an instant overdraft service allowing users to access mini loans when they urgently need cash. This innovation reinforces our commitment to providing flexible and accessible financial solutions.
Together with the IFC, we are developing dedicated services for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and today around 40,000 merchants use M-Pesa for their daily transactions. We actively promote e-commerce by facilitating digital payments and supporting local businesses.
Our connected merchant network continues to grow, and we’ve opened up our APIs to encourage local developers to integrate M-Pesa into their apps, simplifying payment and onboarding processes.
These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to promoting financial and digital inclusion, by offering innovative and affordable solutions that meet the varied needs of our customers.
What about the major challenges facing the telecommunications sector in the DRC, and how is Vodacom DRC positioned to meet them?
The challenges are numerous, as are the opportunities. The first challenge concerns the deployment of infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. To overcome this, we are working with partners to deploy suitable technologies, such as solar-powered and satellite-connected sites. This strategy allows us to reduce dependence on traditional infrastructure while expanding connectivity.
Another major issue is linked to operational costs. High prices for fossil fuels and equipment, as well as inflation, are taking a significant toll on our operations. We are responding to these constraints by adopting renewable energy solutions, including solar panels, lithium batteries and local power plants, to reduce our long-term costs. We are also working to pool infrastructure with other operators, sharing pylons and transmission capacities.
Inflation poses a double challenge: it affects the purchasing power of our customers while reducing the profitability of our investments. We have adapted our offers to meet these constraints, by offering segmented and affordable products that maintain a balance between the quality of service and the financial capabilities of our subscribers.
Structurally, we face challenges related to taxation and regulation, notably high import taxes on devices such as smartphones. These costs slow the adoption of digital services and widen the digital divide. We advocate for a more favorable tax policy, in order to make these technologies accessible to a larger part of the population.
Finally, we anticipate the explosion in demand for data, particularly with the advent of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). This requires massive investments in data centers, cloud solutions and resilient infrastructure to meet growing needs. Our strategy is based on technological partnerships and localized solutions, adapted to the geographic and economic realities of different regions.
Vodacom Congo is committed to working with regulators, public authorities and private partners to proactively address these challenges, while contributing to the digital transformation of the DRC.
A final word?
Vodacom Congo positions itself as a key player in economic and technological development in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For more than 22 years, our commitment has been to provide our customers with solutions adapted to their needs, taking into account the diversity and specificities of each region of the country. We are evolving from a telecommunications company to a technology company, which requires continued investments in connectivity. This is reflected in initiatives such as the extension of 4G coverage and, ultimately, 5G, as well as large-scale projects such as the empowerment of rural communities through educational and digital programs.
We have recently launched innovative solutions like Umoja, which is a platform dedicated to businesses for human resources management, but also other solutions for fleet and expense management. When it comes to financial services, M-Pesa remains one of our flagship solutions. We continue to expand its use with tools like bulk payment, loans for individuals, and fundraising for institutions. We are also exploring strategic collaborations with local developers through the openness of our APIs.
Our vision goes beyond simple connectivity. We want to actively contribute to the socio-economic transformation of the DRC, by making technology a lever for progress for all. Through our infrastructure, digital solutions and commitment to communities, we hope to continue to be a catalyst for sustainable development in the country.
