FAST Congo and Group Vivendi Africa sign fiber capacity agreement

27 November 2023:  At the Africa Digital Expo in Kinshasa last week, Fast Congo – a subsidiary of the pan-African operator, Paratus Group, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – announced that it has signed a long-term agreement with GVA (Group Vivendi Africa) to provide fiber capacity between Muanda and Kinshasa in the DRC.  This will give GVA the capacity, scalability, and flexibility it needs to service more customers with high-speed and secure internet services. 

The contract also gives GVA rights to use and access facilities that are operated and maintained by Fast Congo. GVA requires high-speed and high-capacity bandwidth offered by the fiber route that Fast Congo operates and maintains. This means that GVA can offer high-speed and reliable internet services that are both cost-effective and secure.

Fast Congo was founded by Paratus Group when they were awarded the 15-year government tender to activate the 620-kilometer fiber optic network link between Muanda, on the West Coast, to the DRC capital, Kinshasa.   Managing Director of Fast Congo, Francois-Xavier Kabemba says: “This is a ground-breaking deal and one that will open the way for many more customers of GVA to enjoy high-speed and secure internet connectivity. We are proud to collaborate with one of the DRC’s major internet service providers by supplying GVA with the capacity and infrastructure it needs to further expand and grow its business. The agreement also aligns with our overriding strategy to transform Africa through exceptional digital infrastructure and service.  We look forward to a mutually rewarding business relationship.”

Speaking at the Africa Digital Expo, CEO of GVA, Moktar Tabouri said: “Through our partnership with FAST Congo and Paratus Group, we can not only offer more customers more capacity at a lower cost, but we also have the option to extend these services and links across the globe.  Because we have not had to invest in the fiber infrastructure, our pricing is more competitive, and our offering of internet services is unequalled in the region. These are exciting times not only for our business but also for the telecommunications industry in the DRC.”

Left to Right – Laurent Ntumba, Presi 1 1- Laurent Ntumba, President of ISPA (Internet Service Providers Association – in DRC);  Dominique Migisha, Coordinator of ADN (agency for Digital Development – attached to the President cabinet office);   Christian Katende – President of ARPTC (Regulator Authority for TIC);   François-Xavier Kabemba, MD for FAST CONGO/PARATUS DRC;  Moktar Tabouri, MD for CANAL BOX – GVA RDC;   Jean Luc Mugogwa, Deputy Coordinator of ADN