One year after his appointment as Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Me José Mpanda Kabangu has reshaped the sector in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Appointed on August 8, 2025, his tenure has been marked by decisive reforms, international reintegration, and infrastructural leaps that signal a new era for the country’s digital future.
Rebuilding international standing: a return to global decision-making tables
Upon taking office, Me José Mpanda identified critical challenges: reintegrating the DRC into international telecommunications governance, modernizing the postal and telecom administration, and fostering a conducive business climate for operators. Within weeks, he achieved his first major milestone—restoring the DRC’s voting rights at the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a right lost over three decades ago due to unpaid contributions. His advocacy with the Head of State and government led to the clearance of arrears, reinstating the country’s presence in the global postal governance body.
His second major international breakthrough came in October 2025, when the African Union’s Telecommunications Union (UAT) agreed to relocate its headquarters from Nairobi, Kenya, back to Kinshasa. The decision, ratified during the 7th Plenipotentiary Conference in Abuja, Nigeria, on July 23, 2026, ensures that the UAT’s new Secretary-General—Zambia’s Kezias Kazuba Mwale—will assume office in the Congolese capital starting January 2027. This move is unprecedented: in 34 years, 17 ministers had led the sector without achieving this goal. Me José Mpanda’s success included paying over $1.4 million in arrears and penalties, securing a permanent seat on the UAT’s Administrative Council.
Ambition for global influence: securing a seat at the International Telecommunication Union
Now, the Minister is turning his sights to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN’s specialized agency for ICT policies and standards. He aims to secure a seat on its Administrative Council for the 2027–2030 term, with formal candidacy submission scheduled for November in Doha, Qatar. The ITU sets global benchmarks for spectrum management, network infrastructure, satellite operations, and rural connectivity—key pillars for the DRC’s digital transformation under President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi’s vision of a connected Congo by 2030 and a regional tech hub.
A seat on the ITU Council would unlock strategic financing: an estimated $1.5 billion in investments earmarked for 2026–2030, targeting fiber-optic backbone expansion, rural connectivity, data centers, satellite infrastructure, and high-speed networks. Me José Mpanda’s push underscores a broader goal: restoring the DRC’s leadership in global postal and telecom governance after decades of isolation.
Transforming the postal and telecom administration: modernizing from within
On the domestic front, the Minister has overhauled the General Secretariat of Posts and Telecommunications (SG PTNTIC), addressing long-standing inefficiencies. Within 144 days, he delivered 10 brand-new vehicles, including three buses for staff and jeeps for senior officials—a first in the ministry’s history, celebrated by employees with decades of service.
He also signed reforms to improve working conditions: a revised salary grid, rehabilitation of the SG’s headquarters building, and a new organizational framework for the sector. Merit-based promotions were implemented, recognizing performance and seniority across the board.
Stabilizing the telecom sector: legal clarity and citizen participation
To address persistent legal uncertainties faced by operators, Me José Mpanda converted the licenses of the four major telecom companies—Airtel, Vodacom, Orange, and Afrimax—into compliant titles. He also halved, retroactively, the decade-long moratorium on Congolese participation in telecom capital, aligning with the sector’s law that mandates 25% Congolese ownership and 5% employee shareholding. This adjustment strengthens national sovereignty while ensuring fair competition.
Infrastructure overhaul: laying the groundwork for digital sovereignty
Me José Mpanda’s roadmap for digital transformation is built on robust infrastructure. Following nationwide consultations in April 2026, he launched two flagship initiatives:
- Fiber-optic backbone: A partnership with the Digital Transformation Program (PTN), funded by the World Bank and French Development Agency, will deploy 10,000 km of fiber, with the first phase already underway.
- Rural connectivity: The Universal Service Development Fund (FDSU) is rolling out at least 30,000 towers across 145 territories, prioritizing the Kongo Central province as a pilot zone. On August 8, 2026, the FDSU signed agreements with mobile operators, each receiving funds to install 10 antennas in peri-urban and rural areas.
Additionally, the DRC is advancing plans to acquire a sovereign satellite, with negotiations underway with China Unicom to ensure full control over national connectivity and data sovereignty.
A satellite for digital independence
The satellite project—critical for reducing reliance on foreign providers—aligns with the broader vision of a technologically self-sufficient Congo. Combined with fiber and tower expansion, it forms the backbone of a digital ecosystem capable of supporting e-government, smart cities, and inclusive growth.
Vision 2030: a connected Congo at the heart of Africa
Me José Mpanda’s initiatives reflect President Tshisekedi’s ambition: to position the DRC as a digital leader in Africa by 2030. By securing a seat in global telecom governance, modernizing the postal and telecom administration, and investing in critical infrastructure, he is not only reversing decades of underinvestment but also laying the foundation for economic diversification and technological innovation.
The Minister’s first year in office demonstrates that with decisive leadership, strategic diplomacy, and bold investments, the DRC can reclaim its place in the global digital economy—and become a model for the region.
