Kinshasa, February 18th, 2026 (CPA) – The commitment to digital transformation and regional integration, considered a strategic foundation, was highlighted Wednesday in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), during the 10th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Regulators of the Assembly of Central African Telecommunications Regulators (ARTAC). “(…) the ongoing commitment to digital transformation and regional integration constitutes a strategic foundation for our collective action,” stated Christian Katende, President of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Congo and Executive President of ARTAC.
According to him, organizing the conference in Kinshasa goes beyond mere logistics; it reflects a shared spirit, institutional fraternity, and a collective determination to permanently anchor Central Africa in the global digital economy. His continuous support demonstrates the convergence between regional dynamics and the continent-wide ambitions for digital transformation. He noted that these proceedings follow two high-level strategic workshops held on February 16th and 17: one focused on the regulation of non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) services, enabling broader connectivity and significantly reducing the digital divide, and the other on the security of digital financial services, a fundamental pillar of trust, financial inclusion, and stability of our digital ecosystems. “These topics reflect the rapid evolution of our technological environment. They remind us that regulation should not be merely reactive but anticipatory, structured, and strategic,” he emphasized.
ARTAC: An Instrument for Integration and Harmonization in Africa
For Mr. Katende, ARTAC has, over the years, established itself as a tool for integration and harmonization. Advances in aligning postal and telecommunications regulatory frameworks demonstrate the determination to build a common digital market. Progress toward community roaming reflects a desire to facilitate mobility, reduce costs, and strengthen interconnection among our populations. This 10th ordinary session represents a decisive step in the institutional consolidation of the association. The adoption of revised statutes and framework documents submitted for review will strengthen ARTAC’s governance, cohesion, and operational efficiency.
Building Strong Regulation
Moreover, the President added that, in the face of these changes, the responsibility is immense. “We must build regulation that is firm in its principles, flexible in its mechanisms, and visionary in its orientations,” he stated. He urged participants to approach these proceedings with foresight, methodological rigor, and a spirit of unity.