According to the Q1 2026 report from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (ARPTC), the country’s SMS market shows clear regional segmentation and an extremely high concentration of operators.
There are striking differences in regional consumption habits, with user reliance on SMS in the eastern region far exceeding the national average. North Kivu and South Kivu provinces rank third nationwide in total telecommunications industry revenue, yet their SMS revenue stands out as a strong performer, with local users maintaining a sustained preference for SMS services. ARPTC’s analysis suggests this phenomenon is closely tied to the long-term security situation and network stability conditions in the east: voice calls and mobile data networks are prone to interruptions, while SMS offers more reliable transmission, making it a more trusted communication method for local users.
In terms of the operator landscape, Airtel holds an absolute dominant position in the SMS revenue segment. Airtel and Vodacom together capture over 86% of the national SMS revenue market share, with Airtel alone accounting for more than 56%. The report notes that Airtel’s leading edge is backed by its targeted network deployment in eastern provinces, which caters to the robust local demand for SMS usage.
