Democratic Republic of Congo fiber optic cable ranks

The DRC is rapidly expanding its fiber optic network, with over 12,500 km of coverage planned or deployed, including national backbones, regional links, and subsea cable connections, positioning it as a growing digital hub in Central Africa.

National and Regional Fiber Projects

The DR

C has launched several major fiber optic initiatives to improve connectivity. Bandwidth and Cloud Services Group (BCS) is rolling out a fibre-optic network covering over 12,500 km, reaching an estimated 80 million end users across Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa, with more than 2. 5 million people in eastern DRC directly benefiting from faster and more reliable internet.

Additionally, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is funding a €66. 55 million project to lay 600 km of fiber optic cable connecting the DRC with Cameroon and the Central African Republic, alongside constructing a state-of-the-art National Data Centre in Brazzaville. This project enhances the DRC's digital sovereignty by enabling local data management and reducing reliance on foreign servers.

Facebook, in collaboration with the DRC government, has also commissioned a 5,745 km fiber optic backbone, connecting major cities and improving high-speed connectivity for both urban and rural areas.

Subsea Cable Connectivity

The DR

C is connected to the global internet via the West Africa Cable System (WACS), which landed in 2012. This subsea cable has significantly improved internet speed, reliability, and affordability, contributing to a 19% increase in GDP per capita in fiber-connected areas by 2017. Currently, WACS remains the only direct subsea cable landing in the DRC, highlighting the importance of expanding terrestrial backbones to distribute bandwidth nationwide.

Regional Integration and Future Plans

The DR

C is part of a 10,000 km regional fiber-optic backbone project spanning five countries—DRC, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique—aimed at connecting schools, hospitals, and government institutions, and providing coverage to previously unconnected areas. These initiatives collectively position the DRC as a key player in Central Africa's digital infrastructure, with growing potential to become a regional digital hub.

Impact and Significance

Despite challenges such as the country's vast size, difficult terrain, and dispersed population, these fiber optic projects are expected to boost internet penetration, improve digital services, and stimulate economic growth. Current internet penetration in the DRC was 17. 4% in early 2022, below the African average of 43%, but ongoing infrastructure expansion is expected to significantly improve access.

Overall, the DRC's fiber optic network ranks among the most ambitious in Central Africa, combining national backbones, regional interconnections, and subsea cable access to enhance connectivity, digital services, and economic development.