Will Vodacom and Orange build a solar basestation in Congo?

Telecoms operators Vodacom and Orange have announced a rural infrastructure partnership in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), pledging to jointly construct up to 2,000 new solar-powered basestations over the next six years.

Does the DRC have solar power?

Solar In addition to hydropower, the DRC possesses significant potential for solar energy, offering a potential of 70 GW with noticeably high solar radiation averaging 6 kWh/m 2 /day.

Does the DRC have a 5G network?

The DRC has not yet reached 5G and is still developing its 3G/4G network. The low penetration rate leaves plenty of potential for development of higher-speed networks and linking the DRC to submarine cables linked to Europe.

How much power does the DRC have?

Despite the DRC’s immense endowment of varied renewable energy potential which includes hydroelectric, biomass, solar, wind and geothermal power, the current installed generating capacity is approximately 2,844 MW, providing access to merely 19% of its nearly 85 million-strong population.

What is the potential for wind energy in the DRC?

Wind Meanwhile, potential for wind energy in the DRC is also significant and largely untapped. Offering a potential of 15 GW, with wind speeds averaging 6-6.6m/s throughout the country, there are a number of high potential areas where wind power could be leveraged across the country.

Is DRC ready for a digital economy?

According to the operators, mobile Internet penetration in the DRC is sitting at just 32.3% and the construction of new basestations in the country aligns with the country's vision for an increasingly digital economy as included in the DRC's National Digital Plan - Horizon 2025, adopted in 2019.