KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo — The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s telecommunications sector is set for another potential technology boost after the United States approved a nearly $100 million loan for Africell.

The financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank is designed to help Africell deploy advanced mobile-network technologies supplied by U.S. and allied technology companies.

Africell operates across several African markets, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and serves around 15 million customers across its operations.

The financing comes amid growing international competition over the future of Africa’s telecommunications infrastructure. The United States is seeking to increase the use of technology from American and allied suppliers, while Chinese companies remain major players in Africa’s mobile-network market.

For the DRC, investment in advanced telecommunications infrastructure could have important implications for mobile connectivity, digital services, businesses and internet access.

The country already has a large and expanding digital market. DataReportal estimated 34.7 million internet users in the DRC at the end of 2025, with internet penetration reaching 30.5%.

The latest financing could therefore support the broader expansion of mobile and digital services as demand for reliable connectivity increases across the country.

For Congo’s technology sector, the Africell financing highlights the growing strategic importance of telecom infrastructure as the country moves toward a more connected digital economy.