In a bold diplomatic initiative, the Democratic Republic of Congo is rallying international support for its candidacy to secure a seat on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council, a move that underscores its strategic role in Africa’s digital transformation.

Me José Mpanda Kabangu, the country’s Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, hosted a high-profile gathering at the Hilton Hotel in Kinshasa to formally announce the DRC’s bid for the ITU Region D Africa seat. The elections, set for November 2026 in Doha, Qatar, will determine the next Council members for the 2027–2030 term. The event brought together ambassadors, diplomats, and key representatives from international telecom organizations, all of whom are being urged to champion the DRC’s campaign.

Me Mpanda framed the bid as a historic opportunity for the DRC to contribute to global digital governance while amplifying Africa’s voice in shaping the future of telecommunications. «This candidacy reflects our commitment to advancing connectivity, fostering innovation, and ensuring that African perspectives are central to international telecom policies. The DRC, as the host of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), is uniquely positioned to drive progress in this sector, he emphasized.

The minister outlined four core pillars of the DRC’s vision for the ITU:

• Strengthening Africa’s representation in global telecom governance;
• Mobilizing investments in critical infrastructure such as fiber networks, satellites, and data centers;
• Promoting balanced digital governance that balances innovation with security, sovereignty, and citizen protection;
• Enhancing regulatory and technical capacities across Africa through knowledge-sharing and innovation.

Christian Katende, President of the Regulatory Authority for Posts and Telecommunications of Congo (ARPTC), reinforced the bid’s economic and strategic significance. «With over 110 million people and 74 million mobile subscriptions, the DRC is one of Africa’s largest digital markets. Our goal is to transform the country into a regional digital hub, not just for Congo, but for Central Africa and the continent as a whole, he stated. «A seat on the ITU Council would allow us to advocate for a digital Africa that leads innovation, rather than follows it.”

Katende highlighted the DRC’s role as a global supplier of critical minerals essential for semiconductors and AI infrastructure, arguing that the country’s contributions to the digital value chain justify its inclusion in the decision-making process. «This is our chance to help write the rules for the next technological revolution, he added.

Noëlla Ayeganagato, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, echoed the government’s full backing for the bid. She called on diplomats to leverage bilateral and multilateral engagements to ensure the DRC’s candidacy succeeds. «The ITU is a key partner in achieving sustainable development goals. We urge all potential voting members to champion this cause and turn their diplomatic commitments into action, she urged.

The formal submission of the DRC’s candidacy will take place during the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha this November, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s quest to shape the future of global telecommunications.