June 22, 2026, Brazzaville: According to a new GSMA report, targeted policy and regulatory reforms could unlock FCFA 870 billion in additional economic value, create more than 144,000 jobs and connect more than 540,000 additional people to mobile Internet services by 2030 in the Republic of the Congo.
The report, Driving the digital transformation of the economy in the Republic of the Congohighlights how digitalization – enabled by mobile connectivity and digital financial services such as mobile money – can accelerate productivity, strengthen public revenue mobilization and support economic diversification, in line with the Congo Digital Strategy 2030 and the National Development Plan 2022-2026.
Caroline Mbugua, Senior Director of Public Policy and Communication at GSMA saying: “The Republic of the Congo has built a strong foundation in mobile connectivity, but closing the usage gap now requires coordinated fiscal, regulatory and demand-side reforms. By creating a more predictable and investment-friendly environment, the country can unlock significant economic value, strengthen public revenue systems and accelerate inclusive digital transformation.”
High connectivity but usage gap persists
The report, launched at the GSMA Digital Africa Summit in Congo, shows that the Republic of Congo has made great strides in expanding digital infrastructure, with 86% of the population covered by 4G networks. However, only 19% of the population uses mobile Internet, while 70% of those within coverage remain disconnected, highlighting a significant usage gap.
Smartphone adoption remains limited, reflecting affordability and accessibility barriers. While mobile money adoption is growing rapidly, affordability constraints, limited digital skills and regulatory challenges continue to restrict broader digital adoption.
According to the GSMA Digital Society and Nations Index (2025), Congo scores 26 out of 100, with a Digital Policy and Regulation index of 33 out of 100, underscoring the need to strengthen an enabling environment. Addressing these barriers will be critical to unlocking digital transformation across all sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, trade, healthcare and public administration.
A strategic investment priority
Expanding 4G coverage from 89% to 97% of the population will require additional investments, supported by a more enabling policy environment. The report highlights the importance of treating the digital sector as a strategic investment priority and sets out a roadmap to unlock the country's digital potential.
If implemented, the reforms could result in the following by 2030:
- More than 540,000 additional mobile Internet users, bringing the total to approximately 2.2 million users (around 31% of the population)
- 870 billion FCFA in additional value added in key economic sectors and public services
- More than 144,000 new jobs were created
- A net fiscal impact of approximately CFAF 93 billion in 2030, driven by broader economic growth and more efficient tax collection
- 174 billion FCFA in additional tax revenues accumulated until 2030
A call for coordinated political reform
The report identifies four priority reform areas to accelerate inclusive digital growth:
- Strengthen the infrastructure investment environment:
Conduct market and competition reviews, enable unified and technology-neutral licenses, reform spectrum policy, reduce excessive regulatory and spectrum fees, improve energy coordination, streamline right-of-way approvals, and improve governance and transparency of the Universal Service Fund.
- Use digital technology to improve government revenue and optimize sector taxation:
Accelerate digital tax collection systems and cashless payments while reforming sectoral taxes. Key recommendations include eliminating the tax on electronic communications (TTCE), reversing the tax on SIM card devices of 10,000 CFA francs, reducing taxes on mobile money withdrawals, eliminating customs duties on basic smartphones and improving tax predictability through structured consultations.
- Increase smartphone affordability and digital skills:
Implement basic smartphone affordability programs, expand digital literacy initiatives, accelerate e-government platforms, and strengthen cybersecurity and data protection frameworks to build trust.
- Modernize the regulatory framework:
Accelerate the review of electronic communications legislation, introduce technologically neutral licenses, establish frameworks for emerging digital services, improve mobile money regulatory coordination and develop a National AI Strategy aligned with continental priorities.
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The GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver critical innovation for positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members three broad pillars: connectivity for good, industry services and solutions, and outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, addressing today's biggest societal challenges, supporting the technology and interoperability that make mobile devices work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
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