Orange Telecom and Vodacom have partnered to expand solar coverage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by building solar-powered mobile base stations in underserved rural areas. This initiative aims to bring connectivity and mobile financial services to up to 19 million people, thus marking a milestone in Africaโs telecommunications sector.
Solar Coverage: Extending Network Access to Rural DRC
Franceโs Orange Telecom has joined forces with Vodacom โ South Africaโs largest mobile network operator โ to enhance solar-powered cellular coverage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This partnership marks a significant milestone as the companies commit to bringing connectivity to underserved rural communities.
The collaboration focuses on building, owning, and operating solar-powered mobile base stations in remote areas of the DRC. Vodacom described this as Africaโs first rural towerco partnership of its kind. The initiative will extend telecommunications and mobile financial services to up to 19 million people living in less densely populated regions.
Mobile Internet penetration in the DRC is currently at 32.3%. Vodacom's DRC operation serves more than 21 million customers, thus highlighting the potential impact of improved network access. Orange โ operating in several African countries โ aims to leverage its experience to drive digital transformation in the region.
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Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group, highlighted the project's significance. โWe have the opportunity to contribute to the continent's socio-economic development by building a digital society and fostering inclusivity. This aligns with our purpose to connect for a better future, and our partnership with Orange is a crucial step towards providing mobile coverage to people in previously underserved areas in the DRC.โ
Details of the Solar-Powered Initiative
Under the agreement, Orange and Vodacom will construct up to 2,000 solar-powered base stations over six years. The rollout will start with an initial 1,000 sites, with plans to scale up to an additional 1,000 towers. The base stations will support both 2G and 4G technologies.
The project ensures that the infrastructure will be operator-agnostic, which enables multiple operators to share the towers. Orange and Vodacom will serve as anchor tenants by sharing both active and passive equipment under the agreement for a 20-year term.
The first solar-powered base station is expected to become operational this year, with the investment set to provide voice, data, and mobile money services. This approach will not only improve connectivity, but it will also drive financial inclusion in the rural areas of the DRC.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Jรฉrรดme Hรฉnique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, underscored the environmental advantages of the partnership. โCollaborating with Vodacom by sharing both passive and active infrastructure is the most effective approach to fulfilling our commitment to accelerating connectivity access for everyone, including rural areas, while minimising our environmental footprint,โ he said.
The partnership between Orange and Vodacom establishes a model for similar projects across Africa, highlighting the benefits of shared infrastructure in improving access while reducing costs. This collaboration reflects a mutual commitment to inclusivity and addressing the digital divide, with a focus on extending connectivity to underserved areas in alignment with global goals for digital empowerment and sustainable growth.
The solar-powered towers will provide millions in the DRC with access to mobile financial services, thereby bridging significant gaps in traditional banking systems. Enhanced connectivity will also bring rural communities closer to critical resources such as education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. This will foster socio-economic progress in underserved regions.
The partnership between Orange and Vodacom is a game-changer for connectivity in the DRC. By combining solar energy with shared infrastructure, the project addresses the twin goals of digital inclusion and environmental sustainability. This initiative strengthens telecommunications access and serves as a model for expanding solar coverage in underserved regions across Africa. With its focus on innovation and collaboration, this project redefines how mobile networks can drive socio-economic progress in developing countries.