Orange and Vodacom have partnered to create a rural towerco in Africa, focusing on building and operating solar-powered mobile base stations in Congo (DRC).
The goal is to expand network coverage and provide access to telecommunications and mobile financial services to up to 19 million people in rural areas. This partnership will involve constructing up to 2,000 new solar-powered base stations over six years, beginning with 1,000 sites. The initiative will utilize 2G and 4G technologies, with the possibility of adding a further 1,000 towers. The project is contingent upon regulatory and competition authority approval.
The collaboration will enable access to voice, data, and mobile money services. The first base station is expected to operate in 2025, with both companies sharing equipment for a 20-year period. The joint venture will also offer its infrastructure to other mobile network operators to promote wider service availability.
Vodacom’s CEO, Shameel Joosub, emphasized the potential for this partnership to enhance socio-economic development across Africa.
Orange’s CEO for Middle East and Africa, Jérôme Hénique, highlighted their commitment to improving connectivity while minimizing environmental impact.
With mobile Internet penetration in the DRC at 32.3 percent, this project aligns with the country’s National Digital Plan Horizon 2025, which aims to foster digital transformation in various sectors. The plan focuses on improving public services, promoting economic growth, and ensuring equitable access to digital services. This initiative is expected to contribute to job creation and bridge the digital divide, positively impacting the country’s GDP.
Orange RDC, a subsidiary of the Orange Group, has been operating in the DRC for nearly 12 years, providing innovative connectivity solutions and contributing to digital and social inclusion. The company has over 15 million subscribers and operates more than 3,400 sites, with 90 percent of them being 4G-enabled.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
