• By : Gaby Kabue
• 2023-05-22 14:24:22

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), the telecommunications sector remains in constant evolution which leads the government to carry out legislative and regulatory reforms. Indeed, the country has adopted a new Law No. 20/017 of November 25, 2020, relating to Telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies, published in Official Journal on September 22 2021. The new Law repeals the framework Law No. 013/2002 of October 16, 2002, on Telecommunications in the DR Congo, as well as Law No. 014/2002 of October 16, 2002 establishing the Postal Regulatory Authority and Telecommunications (A.R.P.T.C.).

Under article 11 of Law No. 20/017 stipulates that: "the government creates, by the decree deliberated in the Council of Ministers, the Regulatory Authority for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technologies and Communication (A.R.P.T.I.C)”. To this end, during the Council of Ministers held on February 17, 2023, a draft decree was adopted on creation, composition and functioning of the Regulatory Authority for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technologies and of Communications.

Decree No. 23/13 of March 3, 2023 on creation, composition and functioning of the Regulatory Authority for Posts, Telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies published on March 17, 2023 in the official journal, includes 46 articles divided in 5 chapters. Compared to the former Law No. 014/2002 of October 16, 2002 repealed, decree No. 23/13 of March 03, 2023 extended the missions of the A.R.P.T.I.C., in particular to ensure the regulation and control of data protection, ensure the permanent monitoring and control of traffic, ensure the settlement of disputes between operators and consumers. The A.R.P.T.I.C, which replaces the A.R.P.T.C, is under the supervision of the Ministry responsible for Posts, Telecommunications and Technologies and Information and Communication.

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