Africell is deploying artificial intelligence (AI) across its mobile, data and mobile money operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the operator seeks to improve network efficiency, combat fraud and grow revenue in a challenging telecoms market.
Kory Webster, chief executive of Africell DRC, in an interview with ITWeb Africa yesterday, said the company was integrating AI-driven systems to improve customer service and support faster operational decision-making.
Africell, which has around 3.7 million subscribers in the DRC, competes with Vodacom, Airtel and Orange in one of Africa’s largest and most competitive telecoms markets.
The operator is investing in IT systems, network expansion and capacity upgrades as it targets growth in both subscribers and average revenue per user.
Webster said the company’s strategy is focused on increasing network usage and improving service quality rather than relying on tariff increases.
He added that mobile data, mobile money and enterprise services had become Africell DRC’s main revenue drivers.
The company also sees growth potential in expanding the use of its Afrimoney mobile wallet across merchant payments, salary payments and other digital financial services.
“The DRC remains significantly underpenetrated in both internet and financial services,” Webster said. “The mobile money market is competitive but still underdeveloped.”
However, operators in the DRC continue to face structural and economic challenges, including foreign exchange volatility, limited infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply and high network deployment costs.
Webster said foreign currency pressures and international payment constraints continued to affect relationships with network equipment and software suppliers, although Africell was managing the situation through treasury planning and banking partnerships.
Earlier this year, Africell Holdings raised US$60 million through long-term note issuances to support continued investment in its DRC and Angolan operations.
The company is also pursuing infrastructure-sharing agreements to reduce operating costs and improve network expansion.
In addition, Africell is exploring a partnership with Starlink to extend connectivity to remote and underserved areas of the DRC. Rival operator Vodacom is pursuing a similar strategy in the country.
Webster said satellite connectivity could help address coverage gaps and provide backup connectivity where terrestrial infrastructure remains limited.
He added that renewable energy solutions were also becoming increasingly important as operators navigate persistent power shortages and logistical challenges in the DRC.
“Operating in the DRC requires navigating structural challenges, including infrastructure gaps, power constraints, logistics and regulatory complexity,” Webster said.
“Addressing these challenges requires collaboration.”
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