Doha: DRC’s potential highlighted at the International Telecommunication Union

Kinshasa, November 12^th, 2026 (CPA).-The potential of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which accounts for more than 10% of Africa’s population, was highlighted Thursday in Doha, the capital of Qatar, as voting opened for the various bodies of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the CPAlearned from an official source. “The Democratic Republic of the Congo, which alone accounts for more than 10% of Africa’s population, remains a country with enormous potential, calling on other countries around the world to rally behind the ambitions of the ITU, particularly since connectivity is a substantial need for our populations,” said José Mpanda, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications. He pointed out that his country was offering its opportunities to the ITU and all countries worldwide capable of helping bridge the nearly 24% gap in achieving the universal connectivity target.Topersuade ITU member states to vote for the DRC’s election to the Council, the Congolese minister highlighted not only the fact that his country now hosts the headquarters of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), but also its geostrategic position at the heart of Africa, presenting it as an African solution to global connectivity challenges.“It is in this capacity that the DRC is seeking the votes of the 194 member states of the International Telecommunication Union to secure a seat on its Council,” he concluded. On the sidelines of the plenary session, Mr. Mpanda continued his bilateral meetings, notably with the Ambassador of Sri Lanka, the Director General of Canada’s regulatory authority, his Qatari counterpart and the Ambassador of the Philippines.The theme chosen for the meeting, “Together for a Connected and Digital Future”, sets out an international digital policy covering all emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, personal data protection and cybersecurity, which are evolving faster than regulatory frameworks. Voting for the Council, for which the DRC is a candidate, is scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2026.