Me José Mpanda Kabangu, Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, has intensified diplomatic efforts to secure a seat on the International Telecommunication Union (UIT) Council for the DRC. On the evening of Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Hilton Hotel in Kinshasa, he hosted a high-level gathering for ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited in the DRC, along with representatives from international telecoms organizations. The event marked the official launch of the country’s candidacy for the UIT Council during the upcoming Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Qatar, in November 2026, for the 2027–2030 term.

The minister framed the DRC’s bid as both a call for international solidarity and a demonstration of the country’s commitment to digital transformation. He emphasized the strategic importance of the DRC’s position at the heart of Africa, highlighting its role in shaping global telecoms governance. The UIT, a UN specialized agency, is the central hub for international decisions on telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICTs).

« This candidacy reflects our ambition to align the DRC with global standards in connectivity. It is our way of contributing to international telecoms policy while amplifying Africa’s voice and that of developing nations on critical global governance issues,» Me José Mpanda told the assembled diplomats, urging them to lobby their respective governments for support.

He added, « Out of the 13 African states represented on the UIT Council, the DRC—home to the African Telecommunications Union (UAT) headquarters—seeks to leverage its experience to serve all African member states in their quest for telecoms infrastructure development. Our goal is to provide better connectivity, ensure digital inclusion, strengthen human and technical capacities, and harness our vast energy potential to support telecoms and ICT services. It is only logical that the country hosting UAT’s headquarters plays a decisive role in shaping the sector’s future.»

Without mincing words, Me José Mpanda made it clear that the DRC’s diplomatic outreach aims to secure votes from participating countries ahead of the vote. He requested support from the ambassadors’ governments, including ministries of foreign affairs, telecoms administrations, regulatory authorities, and relevant permanent missions.

Christian Katende, President of the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Congo (ARPTC), underscored the DRC’s growing significance in Africa’s digital landscape, with over 110 million people and nearly 74 million mobile subscriptions. He described the country as one of the continent’s largest digital markets.

« Our vision is bold: to transform the DRC into a digital hub for Central Africa and a key player in the continent’s digital economy. But our ambition extends beyond our borders. We aim to drive Africa’s competitiveness, accelerate its digital integration, and ensure the continent speaks with one voice in global forums,» Katende told the diplomats.

Katende outlined four key commitments underpinning the DRC’s candidacy: strengthening Africa’s voice within the UIT; promoting investments in networks, satellites, data centers, and public digital infrastructure; advocating for a digital governance model that balances innovation, security, digital sovereignty, and citizen protection; and fostering capacity-building for African regulators and states through knowledge sharing, research, and innovation.

« Together, let’s make the next decade Africa’s decade as a full-fledged actor in global digital governance,» Katende urged. He also stressed the DRC’s strategic role in the global value chain, given its critical minerals essential for semiconductors and AI infrastructure, justifying its claim to a seat at the table where the rules of this technological revolution are defined.

Noëlla Ayeganagato, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed the Congolese diplomatic corps’ commitment to supporting the candidacy until the vote. She called on the diplomats to champion the DRC’s bid, emphasizing the UIT’s role as a strategic partner in achieving sustainable development goals.

« The UIT is a strategic partner in helping states achieve sustainable development goals. I urge potential voting states and long-standing allies to convey our message clearly, follow through on commitments, and fully leverage bilateral and multilateral diplomatic channels,» she stated, affirming her ministry’s backing for the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications’ initiative to elevate the DRC’s profile in global telecoms governance.

The formalization of the DRC’s candidacy will take place in Doha, Qatar, in November 2026.