Fast Congo, GVA ink DRC fiber deal

Pan-African operator Paratus Group's subsidiary, Fast Congo, has signed a long-term agreement with Group Vivendi Africa (GVA) to provide fiber capacity between Muanda and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The partnership will give GVA the capacity to service more customers and 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, which Fast Congo operates and maintains on its fiber route. This means GVA will be able to provide high-speed, dependable Internet services that are both cost-effective and secure," the companies said in a joint statement.

Paratus Group founded Fast Congo in 2023 when the operator was awarded a 15-year government tender to activate the 620 kilometer fiber optic network link between Muanda on the West Coast and the DRC capital, Kinshasa.

"This deal will open the way for many more customers of GVA to enjoy high-speed and secure Internet connectivity," said Fast Congo MD Francois-Xavier Kabemba.

"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," added GVA CEO Moktar Tabouri.

Paratus Group African expansion

Paratus operates in seven African countries – Angola, Botswana, DRC, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.

Its extended network provides a satellite connectivity-focused service in more than 35 African countries.

The group's footprint extends beyond Africa to international points of presence (PoPs) in the UK, Europe and the US.

The Fast Congo and GVA deal follows Paratus Group's launch of two new cross-border fiber links between Mozambique and South Africa in October 2023.

That launched followed the company signing a reseller agreement to provide Starlink's satellite Internet services across Africa in September 2023.

In June 2023, Paratus Botswana completed a metro fiber ring around the capital city of Gaborone, to provide high-speed connectivity to businesses and individuals in the area.

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*Top image source: Image by www.slon.pics on Freepik

— Matshepo Sehloho, Associate Editor, Connecting Africa