Communication in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In everyday life, people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo communicate in person, by mobile service, SMS, mobile data, and formal letters. French is the official language. Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba also have national importance; the language used depends, among other things, on the province, community, and situation. A general ranking of apps or digital communication habits is not reliably documented. In the fourth quarter of 2025, mobile penetration was approximately 65 percent of a population of around 112 million people. Mobile internet use was 32.95 percent, and mobile-money use was 30.60 percent. The four major mobile network operators are Africell, Airtel, Orange, and Vodacom. Reported subscriber numbers were 26.40 million for Vodacom, 22.29 million for Orange, 21.78 million for Airtel, and 3.46 million for Africell. These figures do not describe uniform coverage: the city, region, network coverage, offer, tariff, and service quality influence actual access. Providers distinguish between prepaid, postpaid, and data offers. Prices, network coverage, quality, and processing times depend on the provider and the specific location. Activation, deactivation, and reactivation of a SIM card are subject to subscriber identification under the Ministerial Order No. CAB/MIN/PT&NTIC/AKIM/KL/Kbs/038/2022 (Arrêté ministériel n° CAB/MIN/PT&NTIC/AKIM/KL/Kbs/038/2022). Inadequate identification may result in an interruption of service; this does not automatically create an entitlement to a refund or contractual penalty. Users are entitled to access basic electronic communications and postal services at reasonable prices. Before concluding a contract, providers should give clear, complete, and understandable information, deliver service quality corresponding to the price, treat users equally and without discrimination, and provide secure and reliable services. Data protection applies within the limits of the law. Users must comply with their contractual obligations. The competent regulator for posts and electronic communications (ARPTC) is responsible for postal and electronic communications regulation. It regulates, among other things, authorizations, numbering, consumer protection, and supervision of universal service. The implementation of universal service, number portability, lower roaming costs, and more accessible offers is not yet fully complete. In the event of a disruption or dispute, the user should first ask the provider for an amicable solution. If this is unsuccessful, a written complaint may be submitted to the ARPTC. It should include the complainant's identity and contact details, the provider concerned, a brief account of the facts, supporting evidence, and proof of the previous attempt to resolve the matter. Processing by the ARPTC is free of charge. A telephone report through consumer line 155 must later be formalized if formal proceedings are required. For postal services, the Congolese Postal and Telecommunications Company (Société Congolaise des Postes et Télécommunications) is the public postal provider. The directory codepostal.cd lists, among other things, neighborhoods, communes, sectors, chiefdoms (Chefferies), and post offices. A postal code should be used in the address. SCPT reports 360 agencies, post offices in 145 territories, letter and parcel services, home delivery, and digital explanations for dispatch and collection. Under Law 012 (Loi 012), SCPT claims exclusive responsibility for consignments of up to two kilograms; however, practical availability, current prices, and binding delivery times depend on the route, post office, and consignment and are not independently documented nationwide. The Digital Code (Code du numérique), under Ordinance-Law No. 23/010 (Ordonnance-Loi n° 23/010) of March 13, 2023, covers digital activities and services, electronic writings and tools, trust services, digital content, security, and criminal-law protection. It also provides the framework for data protection, certification, and other regulatory procedures. The ARPTC's digital regulatory portal (CADRAN) is operationally available for this purpose. Access to digital services remains fragmented because of connection costs, network coverage, and regional differences. The Ministry of Communication and Media (Ministère de la Communication et Médias) implements and pursues government communication policy. The government's spokesperson (Porte-Parole) conveys the government's position. Official information appears on government websites, in press briefings, and through institutional portals; there is no single nationwide access point for all citizen requests. Gaps remain for people with limited mobility. Nationwide uniform access to sign-language interpretation, subtitles, speech output, or binding accessibility standards for telecommunications is not documented. Written complaints, a local office of the provider or SCPT, and a trusted supported communication channel may help in practice, but must be checked locally. In the event of misunderstandings or conflicts, messages, bills, receipts, and contracts should be retained. Clarification in the preferred local language or in French may facilitate communication. For telecommunications problems, the route is from the provider to the ARPTC; for postal problems, proof of posting, shipment data, and delivery records are particularly relevant. There is no uniform nationwide processing deadline for general contacts with authorities.