A large delegation of Chinese experts in the field met on March 1 in Brazzaville with the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Léon Juste Ibombo, to discuss the modalities for the joint implementation of the mega satellite communication project.
The Chinese experts came to Congo as part of the implementation of the Congo-Ocean Railway (CFCO) rehabilitation and modernization project, the work on which was launched on February 28 by the Head of State, Denis Sassou N’Guesso.
Discussions with Minister Léon Juste Ibombo focused on strengthening Congo’s technological capabilities in the digital sector. The two parties discussed, in particular, the project to install a satellite communications system in Congo, enabling the country to integrate another dimension of digital technology, which the government has identified as one of its six development pillars.
The pilot phase of the satellite communications project will be tested on the CFCO railway, as part of its ongoing modernization. According to the Minister for the Digital Economy, this will involve installing smart equipment along the CFCO line, connected to the satellite network, in order to make this infrastructure more competitive and up to international standards.
“By strengthening our cooperation in satellite communications, we are not only opening a new technological page, we are writing together a strategic chapter of Sino-Congolese friendship in the digital age.”
“In the era of the Internet of Things and smart grids, a modern railway must be connected, secure and operated by high-performance digital systems. On behalf of the Congolese government, I reiterate our full readiness to move forward, hand in hand, towards an ambitious and united common future,” stressed Léon Juste Ibombo.
In this area, Chinese experts have also committed to supporting Congo in the implementation of structuring pilot projects, around transport infrastructure and productive sectors.
Similarly, China will help Congo to strengthen skills transfer and the training of Congolese talent in this field.
In order to guarantee the best investment climate in the digital sector, China will also provide Congo with a regulatory framework conducive to innovation; legal security for investments; promote an environment favorable to the development of the digital economy and encourage partnerships between companies, research centers and training institutions of the two countries.
For further persuasion, Chinese experts invited Minister Léon Juste Ibombo to make an official visit to China to see for himself.
