DRC’s Digital Economy Ministry Strengthens Ties with Fidelity Bank on Satellite Rollout

His Excellency Augustin Kibassa Maliba, Minister of Digital Economy, received a delegation from Fidelity Bank  on Thursday, August 28, 2025, led by its Managing Director, Nneka Onyegali-Ikpe.

The discussions focused on the implementation of the MONACOAST project, a strategic program aimed at reducing the digital divide in the Democratic Republic of Congo through the deployment of a Congolese satellite. This initiative will make it easier to access high-speed internet across the entire territory, especially in rural and remote areas where telecommunication infrastructure remains insufficient.

During this meeting, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank took the opportunity to introduce herself to the minister, having recently renewed her institution’s mandate with the government. She also reaffirmed the bank’s intention to establish a long-term presence in the DRC as a trusted banking and financial partner. According to her, Fidelity Bank’s arrival on the Congolese market will contribute to strengthening financial inclusion and supporting the financing of innovative projects in the field of digital economy.

It should be recalled that in November 2024, Minister Kibassa Maliba signed, within the framework of digital cooperation between the DRC and the Principality of Monaco, a cooperation protocol with the Monegasque company MonacoSAT, the operator of this satellite project. The agreement provides for the deployment of satellite services throughout the DRC with the aim of improving digital connectivity, strengthening technological independence, and ensuring national data sovereignty.

Fidelity Bank’s contribution will focus on financing projects and providing digital services within the framework of this strategic program. This involvement is expected to generate new opportunities for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which will benefit from easier access to financing, reliable digital tools, and an improved business environment.

For his part, Minister Kibassa Maliba recalled that the digital economy is an essential driver for the development of the DRC. By improving connectivity, strengthening data security, and expanding access to digital services, the government intends to accelerate the country’s technological and economic transformation.

The launch of the MONACOAST project marks an important step in the modernization of digital infrastructure in the DRC. Through better connectivity, the government aims to reduce the digital divide, improve social inclusion, and promote economic competitiveness at both national and international levels.