In November 2015, Target agency conducted a study to understand current tendencies on mobile telephony in DR Congo and habits in this sector. The sample was composed of 1000 persons according to method of quota per age, sex and residence provinces. The said research focused on eleven provinces’ administrative centers in line with the former DR Congo administrative configuration, before its territorial division.

It results from this study that mobile telephony penetration rate is very high in big cities (82%). (88%) of interviewed men and 75% of interviewed women affirm to use services of at least one local telecom operator. Target study, a precious information crucible, shows that possession as well as use of mobile phone is increasingly becoming commonplace in DR Congo.

There are more young people whose age varies between 25 and 34 years old to subscribe for a mobile operator (89%). 57% of people of 65 years old and above have got a mobile phone.

Possessing a mobile phone is the most normal thing to be considered in DR Congo. A tendency that is observed as well amongst active persons (91%) as within non active persons (72%).

At Bukavu, Goma, Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Matadi, 9 over 10 interviewed persons are registered as telecom operator customers.  

These cities are recording the highest rates of mobile telecom operators’ users’ subscriptions. While the lowest rates are recorded at Kindu (60%) and Kananga (61%).

Subscriptions with several mobile telecom operators

One mobile phone user over two is registered as subscriber with at least two networks. One person over four is registered as subscriber with three networks. Only 18% of respondents use services of only one operator.

Men (48%) and women (50%) do possess two SIM cards with almost the same proportions. Further, Target research shows that 1% of interviewed women affirm to have 5 SIM cards. Men are not burdening themselves with 5 SIM cards.

Markets’ share according to operators

The study is clearly establishing markets’ share of each one of all the five operators: Africell, Airtel, Orange, Tigo and Vodacom. For example, persons of below 18 years old (31%) are more taking Tigo subscription than any other operator.

Smartphones’ use

Smartphones are allowing the use of several applications and internet connecting. The majority of respondents (68%) are not using them. Seniors and people of above 65 years old are those who are mostly using smartphones (85%).

The said research provides on the other hand with an outstanding data related to DR Congo Cities, whereas smartphones are mostly used as well as whereas they are less used.

As regards brands, SAMSUNG is far beyond other smartphone brands the most used with (35%) before iTel (14%), HTC (13%), Techno (12%) and Nokia (12%).  

Operators’ positioning

Since one user over two possesses at least two SIM cards, which one is the most used between both? Target study allowed answering this question and establishing operators’ positioning. Thus for each user of several SIM cards, there is always one main operator and one or many secondary operators. There are figures as supporting evidence to back up this study.

On a general standpoint, Target research is showing that Vodacom is preferred due to its stable and high quality signal, Tigo is preferred for its price schedule, Orange for its bonus and promos, Airtel for its stable and high quality signal, Africell for its flat rates (calls, SMS (text messages) and internet).

Let’s underline that the said research has been first of all conducted at Kinshasa and Lubumbashi in 2014. Thereafter Target decided to broaden this latter throughout main cities in 2015.

To discover detail of this study, thank you to write to info@target-sarl.cd    or to call: (+243) 810 451 052/ 99 324 81 80.