Brazzaville seminar puts digital regulation in focus
Brazzaville, Jan. 17 — The director general of the Post and Electronic Communications Regulatory Agency, ARPCE, Louis Marc Sakala, said Congo needs regulatory mechanisms that better fit national realities as digital technologies evolve quickly, according to the Congolese Information Agency (ACI).
He spoke on Jan. 16 in Brazzaville after a seminar on digital technology policy and regulation titled “Strategy and challenges of the Republic of Congo,” which brought together officials and participants to discuss how rules can keep pace with innovation (ACI).
Why ARPCE says rules must match Congo’s realities
Sakala said the discussions were designed to help stakeholders think through practical tools for regulating emerging technologies, rather than relying only on older models built for earlier telecom markets (ACI).
In his view, adapting regulation is also a way to prepare for change and reduce the risk of being forced to react after new services and platforms are already widespread. He framed this as anticipation, not restriction (ACI).
AI, low-orbit satellites and fiber: the technologies cited
ARPCE highlighted several areas the seminar examined, including artificial intelligence, low‑orbit satellite telecommunications systems, and the ongoing rollout of fiber optic networks (ACI).
Among satellite examples, the agency cited OneWeb and Starlink, services associated with low‑altitude constellations that can extend coverage to hard‑to‑reach areas. The seminar treated these as developments regulators must understand early (ACI).
Digital economy strategy: regulating without slowing innovation
“It was a question of seeing how we can regulate together, prepare ourselves and define the strategy of our country’s digital economy,” Sakala said, adding that the goal is to anticipate so Congo does not “suffer” technological shifts (ACI).
This approach positions regulation as a stabilizing tool for growth, aiming to set clearer expectations for operators and innovators while maintaining consumer protections. ARPCE presented the seminar as a step toward shared understanding (ACI).
Congo and international practices: capacity and governance
Sakala also noted that, despite global advances, Africa is often on the margins of major technology blocs, a point he raised while discussing the challenges linked to artificial intelligence (ACI).
He argued that Congo should align with international practices while developing its own capabilities so it can carry weight in the governance of these technologies. The emphasis was on building competence, not simply importing standards (ACI).
Minister Ibombo calls for modern, coordinated regulation
Closing the seminar, the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, Léon Juste Ibombo, said traditional regulatory models must evolve to remain relevant and effective amid rapid technological change (ACI).
Ibombo stressed institutional coordination, saying digital regulation cannot be handled in isolated “silos.” He called for concerted action between the regulator and other actors, rooted in cooperation and information sharing (ACI).
Trust, citizen protection and a competitive ecosystem
“Regulating does not mean slowing innovation, but rather securing and guiding it,” Ibombo said, describing objectives such as protecting citizens, guaranteeing digital trust, and supporting the emergence of an innovative, competitive and inclusive ecosystem (ACI).
In practical terms, this framing suggests regulation should clarify responsibilities, strengthen safeguards, and encourage uptake of digital services by households and businesses. The ministry presented trust as a foundation for adoption (ACI).
Data governance and the personal data commission
The seminar also addressed data management and coordination with relevant structures, including the commission responsible for personal data that was put in place by the Head of State, according to ACI.
The stated objective is to reinforce coherence in public action and develop a common plan that meets security requirements and citizen protection expectations. The discussion linked data governance to confidence in the digital economy (ACI).
Next step: White Paper Vol. 3 and deeper technical cooperation
Sakala announced that exchanges will continue with a view to organizing, in February, a seminar to present findings from White Paper volume 3, dedicated to digital regulation in Congo (ACI).
On the operational side, the seminar proposed several workstreams, including strengthening cooperation between ARPCE and the National Agency for Information Systems Security, ANSSI. The goal is to improve coordination on security-related issues (ACI).