- Vodacom Congo rolls out accessible smartphones and solar‑powered towers to expand digital inclusion and rural connectivity in DRC.
- As part of Vodacom Group’s strategy, it harnesses clean energy and disability‑focused products to meet regulatory, infrastructure and sustainability challenges.
Vodacom Congo: Pushing digital inclusion forward
Vodacom Congo, part of the Vodacom Group, recently reinforced its commitment to inclusion and connectivity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The company joined the Vodacom Group-wide Disability and Accessibility Conference held on 1 July 2025 in Johannesburg, co‑creating solutions for people with visual impairments. A key takeaway was the launch of the Blindshell Classic 2—a tactile-button smartphone custom‑built for the visually impaired—now available in Vodacom Congo stores on both prepaid and contract plans.
Vodacom Congo’s parent, Vodacom Group, serves over 200 million customers across Africa, with mobile networks covering more than 500 million people. In the DRC specifically, Vodacom Congo has provided innovative technology and social inclusion services for more than two decades. With nearly 900 fully solar‑powered rural base stations deployed since 2013, the operator has been leading the charge in decarbonising the telecoms sector and expanding access to underserved communities.
Also Read: Adapture and Meta ink Game-Changing solar pact
Also Read: AES launches a robot for the installation of solar panels
Vodacom Congo: Sustainable and inclusive strategy
Vodacom Congo’s solar‑powered infrastructure addresses two major challenges: unreliable grid power and rural connectivity. It is part of a broader joint‑venture with Orange in the DRC to build up to 2,000 solar‑powered 2G/4G base stations over six years—extending voice, data and mobile money services to roughly 19 million people.
However, deployment in remote areas confronts logistical hurdles—poor roads, site security, regulatory approvals and capital expenditure remain significant barriers. Yet such initiatives are essential to close the DRC’s digital divide, where mobile internet penetration stands at just over 32 % .
Vodacom Congo also champions accessibility through digital literacy programmes, assistive technology and inclusive customer service. Backed by Vodacom Group’s ESG strategy (Empowering People, Protecting the Planet, Maintaining Trust), it embeds sustainability and inclusivity into its core mission.
