
We Care in DRC is a Collaborative Initiative Between Mobile Operators and Policymakers to Help Accelerate DRC's Digital Transformation
21 July 2021, London: Today, mobile operators and government institutions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have joined forces with the global mobile association, the GSMA, to advance the nation's digital transformation with the launch of We Care in DRC.
The We Care in DRC initiative aims to accelerate and amplify the positive impact of mobile and digital services for the people and economy of the DRC and to develop close public-private collaboration. A sustained dialogue between mobile operators and policymakers will make the most of the benefits inherent to the development of a digital economy for everyone in the DRC.
The partnership highlights the collaboration between the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, New Technology and Communications, the Regulatory Authority of Posts and Telecommunications (ARPTC), the mobile network operators Africell, Airtel, Orange, Vodacom and the GSMA.
The vision of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Head of State is to make ICT a true lever for economic growth and an integral development driver for our country. With this in mind, and in my capacity as political decision-maker at the service of the Congolese people, I firmly believe we will achieve this vision with the contribution of the mobile operators present in the DRC. Consequently, DRC's mobile operators stand with us as major partners in the Government's noble mission for the long-awaited digital transformation of our country. We fully support the We Care in DRC initiative which will create a robust environment and framework for permanent dialogue between stakeholders in the sector. In turn, this will create a climate of trust and serenity between all, and for the great benefit of our population, said H.E. Augustin Kibassa, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, New Technology and Communications.
We are delighted that the GSMA's We Care initiative is being implemented in a concerted manner by all stakeholders in the ICT sector in order to develop a series of actions that strengthen transparency, trust and dialogue. The need to develop services associated with digital inclusion is important, so much so that everything should be done to foster all available collaborations. We are therefore more than happy to see the GSMA offering this partnership which will help accelerate the digital transformation of the DRC, said Christian Katende, President of the Regulatory Authority of Posts and Telecommunications (ARPTC).
We are honored to launch the GSMA We Care initiative in the DRC, alongside mobile operators and public authorities. Together, we will foster an environment of mutual trust and dialogue and advance concrete actions to reinforce public-private collaborations, which is essential to spur digital transformation and inclusion, said Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA.
From left to right: Mr. Alain Betu, Policy Manager, Central Africa, GSMA; Mr. Ousmane Yatera, Senior External Affairs Director, GSMA; Mme. Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA; Mr. Christian Katende, President of the Regulatory Authority of Posts and Telecommunications; Mr. H.E. Augustin Kibassa, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, New Technology and Communications; Mr. Ben Cheick Haidara, Director General, Orange DRC; Mr. Thierry Diasonama, Director General, Airtel RDC; Mr. Khalil F. Al Americani, Vodacom; Mr. Milad Khairallah, Director General, Africell DRC
Promoting transparency and public-private dialogue
Following the launch of We Care in DRC, a series of public-private collaboration actions will be carried out, in particular:
The launch of an annual report that shares key sector indicators on mobile sector taxation.
The publication of a mobile coverage map of the country to inform decision-making on improving connectivity in rural areas. The map, developed with support from the UK government (UKAID), is available here on the GSMA website
The activation of a local mobile association in the DRC. This organisation will find common solutions to advance inclusive digital transformation.
The establishment of a framework for regular public-private dialogue between mobile operators, government and regulator to overcome the challenges of the mobile sector and accelerate digital inclusion.
Milad Khairallah, Director General, Africell DRC said, Africell is proud to partner with organisations that share our commitment to socially responsible business practices. The We Care project in DRC reinforces public-private collaboration, drives digital inclusion and boosts our collective impact on communities across the country. We Care DRC is a great initiative for Africell to be involved in and we hope that the innovative work we do with our partners and the government in the DRC inspires similar collaboration in other sectors and countries.
Thierry Diasonama, Director General, Airtel RDC said, Digital is disrupting our society at large, especially the world of work, and this digital revolution is not about to stop. Therefore, we welcome the initiative to bring all stakeholders in the sector together to work towards tackling the challenges of the digital transformation of Congolese society. It is a source of pride for us to bring Airtel's expertise to the We Care initiative so that together we can lay a solid foundation to help reduce the digital divide and improve the financial inclusion rate.
Ben Cheick Haidara, Director General, Orange DRC said, Orange RDC, a multiservice operator, has been engaged for more than 10 years in the deployment of innovative technologies and services for Congolese people, whether in rural, peri-urban or urban areas. The We Care initiative, which has demonstrated its effectiveness in oth
More from GSMA
15/06/2022
New Report Shows Worrying Slow-down in Digital Inclusion for Women in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
15 June, London: The expansion of mobile internet acces...
13/06/2022
GSMA Launches Common KPIs for Mobile to Demonstrate Value for Operators, Investors, Customers and Employees.
13th June, London: The GSMA today launched a gro...
13/06/2022
GSMA and FC Barcelona to Co-locate Sports Tomorrow Congress at MWC Barcelona 2023
13 June 2022, London: GSMA and FC Barcelona have signed a collaboration agree...
01/06/2022
1 June 2022, London: The GSMA has appointed Lara Dewar as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Ms. Dewar starts effective from 1st June and will report to GSMA Direct...
18/05/2022
Despite Double-Digit Growth in Data Traffic and 5G Expansions, Operators Limited Carbon Emissions Growth to 2% in 2021
18 May, London: The number of mobile ope...
17/05/2022
The latest Mobile Economy Report for MENA launches at Mobile 360 Riyadh to show ...
16/05/2022
Double-Digit Internet Value Chain Growth at Risk if Infrastructure Investors Can...
06/05/2022
New Quality Assurance Initiative To Support Mobile Money Ecosystem in Developing Countries
6th May, London: GSMA, the global organisation unifying the mobile e...
28/04/2022
GSMA Urges Government Action to Prioritise Mid-Band 5G for the Years Ahead
23 February 2022, London: GSMA research finds that 5G mobile network services in th...
26/04/2022
New Report Finds Wide Disparity in APAC 5G Readiness, With Spectrum Planning And Management Key To Success
26 April, London: A new analysis of 5G across the As...
07/04/2022
6th April 2022, London: The GSMA is proud to be a global organisation. We believe in the power of our industry to unite people and support dialogue and understa...
30/03/2022
Milestone figure a sign of strong industry growth as accounts, value and volume of transactions all soar
30 March 2022, Johannesburg: The GSMA has today publis...
28/03/2022
GSMA launches annual reports Mobile Economy China 2022 and 5G in Verticals in China 2022
28 March 2022, London: The GSMA is bringing MWC22 Barcelona to Chi...
10/03/2022
10 March 2022, London: We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in Ukraine. Our thoughts are with those most impacted by this conflict.
In moments of ...
03/03/2022
Stakeholders sign a Memorandum of Understanding, paving the way for the creation...
03/03/2022
3 March 2022, Barcelona: The GSMA has announced the winners of the 2022 Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards at MWC Barcelona. The Awards celebrate the companies, indiv...
03/03/2022
More than 61,000 attendees convened in-person from around the world to discuss the convergence of mobile, the potential of the metaverse and transforming vertic...
02/03/2022
Connectivity Unleashed as 5G demonstrates the fastest generational roll-out in mobile history - with innovative new use cases accelerating adoption
2 March 202...
02/03/2022
2 March 2022, Barcelona: The UK will commit a further £15.5 million to the GSMA ...
28/02/2022
Day one sees innovative launches, inspiring speakers, sign language interpretation and insights from the GSMA's Mobile Economy Report
28 February 2022, B...
24/02/2022
Defining the role of connectivity in sustainable development and promoting women entrepreneurs from the Arab States
24 February 2022, London: The GSMA and the...
24/02/2022
MWC Las Vegas 2022 in Partnership with CTIA will be held at Las Vegas Convention Center's West Hall from 28 - 30 September
24 February 2022, London: The ...
23/02/2022
GSMA Urges Government Action to Prioritise Mid-Band 5G for the Years Ahead
23 February 2022, London: GSMA research finds that 5G mobile network services in th...
22/02/2022
22 February 2022, Barcelona: The GSMA has announced the sponsors and partners for MWC22 Barcelona, where the global mobile ecosystem will convene from 28 Februa...
18/02/2022
Brand new exhibit features interactive demonstrations, live stage and innovation projects from GSMA Foundry
17 February 2022, Barcelona: The GSMA has announc...
10/02/2022
Barcelona welcomes back the world's largest and most influential connectivity event from 28 February to 3 March
10 February 2022, Barcelona: Today at a pre...
03/02/2022
300+ speakers and BStartup Banco Sabadell back as platinum sponsor
3 February 2022, Barcelona: The GSMA's leading start-up and innovation platform, 4YFN (F...
02/02/2022
London, 02 February: The GSMA announced this week nominees for the Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards, and winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony at MWC22 on...
31/01/2022
Telef nica's Jos Mar a lvarez-Pallete newly elected as Board Chair and will serve from February 2022 through December 2022
31 January 2022, London: The G...
24/01/2022
Laying the foundational work for the digital and green twin transitions
Brussels, January 24, 2022 - Leading associations Global Enabling Sustainability Initia...
01/12/2021
Health and safety plan updated for 2022 event
01 December 2021, London: As MWC Barcelona returns for another in-person event in 2022, the health and safety of...
11/11/2021
The group will drive 5G mmWave education efforts and showcase innovation.
Nove...
11/11/2021
Registration open for event centred on Connectivity Unleashed theme
11 November 2021, London: MWC Barcelona, the world's largest mobile technology event r...
04/11/2021
Leaders from across the North American mobile ecosystem showcased innovation shaping the future of connectivity
November 4, 2021, Los Angeles: The GSMA is cele...
29/10/2021
Underused Smart Tech Could Contribute 40% of Required Carbon Emission Savings For Net Zero Goals
29 October 2021, London: The GSMA calls on business leaders an...
26/10/2021
Latest GSMA Mobile Economy Report Shows Industry Resilience During Pandemic
Oc...
25/10/2021
22 October 2021, Los Angeles: The GSMA today confirmed sponsors and partners for MWC Los Angeles 21. Taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center from Octo...
25/10/2021
At MWC Africa, GSMA Celebrated Major Milestone as it Reached Over 100 Million People Through Mobile For Development Programmes, Including 45 Million People Acro...
21/10/2021
Launched at Mobile 360 Asia Pacific, the APAC 5G Industry Community is a forum for people to learn and advocate 5G benefits to industries and enterprises
21 ...
20/10/2021
20 October 2021, Los Angeles: As the GSMA gears up to welcome people to Mobile W...
19/10/2021
GSMA Intelligence research shows how collaborative efforts practiced by Asia Pac...
14/10/2021
The premier industry event of the Americas returns to showcase innovations in Connected Impact' at the Los Angeles Convention Center from October 26-28
1...
07/10/2021
Multi-layered health and safety plan includes vaccine and test result confirmati...
28/09/2021
This year's online event will bring together decision-makers from across Africa's vibrant mobile ecosystem to explore how technology and connectivity ca...
28/09/2021
But More Work Needs to be Done to Bridge the Digital Divide
GSMA Research Shows 3.4 Billion People Do Not Use Mobile Internet Despite Living in Areas with Mobi...
22/09/2021
Sixth Annual SDG Impact Report from GSMA Shows Mobile Sector Increased its SDG Contribution, Despite the Pandemic
21 September 2021, London: The sixth annual S...
14/09/2021
The in-person conference features a visionary agenda and gathers decision-makers from a sector that generates 7% of GDP across the CIS region
14 September 2021...
03/09/2021
An assessment commissioned by GSMA examined the key risks for the Malaysian Government's proposal for a Single National 5G network and recommended measures ...
23/08/2021
A multi-layered plan to ensure the safety of all
23 August 2021, Los Angeles: Today, the GSMA shared details of the health and safety plan for MWC Los Angeles ...
21/07/2021
We Care in DRC is a Collaborative Initiative Between Mobile Operators and Policymakers to Help Accelerate DRC's Digital Transformation
21 July 2021, London...