• President Félix Tshisekedi instructed the government to strengthen regulation of social media platforms during a Feb. 27 cabinet meeting in Kinshasa.

• Internet users in the Democratic Republic of Congo rose 64.1% to 34.7 million between 2021 and early 2026, while social media users climbed to 10.4 million, according to DataReportal.

• The government will promote enforcement of the country’s Digital Code and require biweekly progress reports from relevant ministers.

President Félix Tshisekedi has instructed the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to tighten oversight of social media platforms in order to curb abuses. He issued the directive during the 80th ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Friday, Feb. 27, in Kinshasa.

The president tasked the Minister of State for Justice and Keeper of the Seals, along with the Minister of the Digital Economy, with proposing and implementing measures in coordination with relevant services to promote responsible, ethical and rational use of social media. The measures could include, where appropriate,“proportionate and lawful restrictive measures, while respecting fundamental freedoms,” according to the statement read by Augustin Kibassa Maliba, Minister of the Digital Economy.

The directive comes amid rapid growth in social media adoption alongside expanding telecommunications services, particularly internet access. DataReportal data show that the number of internet users increased from 21.14 million in 2021 to 34.7 million in early 2026, representing a 64.1% rise and an estimated penetration rate of 30.5%. Over the same period, the number of social media users rose from 4 million to 10.4 million.

Congolese authorities argue that “Far from serving exclusively positive purposes, social media increasingly constitute vectors of misinformation, public disorder, hate speech, manipulation of opinion, and incitement to division among Congolese people, thereby undermining national cohesion, public order, and social stability.”

The decision also follows persistent security challenges in several provinces. Social media platforms have become key arenas for debate on security issues.

Promoting and Enforcing the Digital Code

The presidential communication emphasized the need to promote and enforce the Digital Code, which lawmakers adopted to regulate digital platform use in the DRC. The president stated that the legal instrument already provides mechanisms to prevent, regulate and punish online abuses. However, he said authorities and the public have not sufficiently understood or applied the provisions.

The government will not limit awareness efforts to citizens. The Minister of Communication and Media will work with public and private operators to conduct ongoing public awareness campaigns. Authorities will also target magistrates under the coordination of the High Council of the Judiciary to ensure coherent and deterrent application of the law.

Beyond regulatory measures, the executive branch will invest in education. The Ministries of National Education and Higher Education will gradually integrate training modules and awareness programs on responsible digital use into school curricula. Authorities will incorporate issues related to social media and artificial intelligence into youth education.

The president has required relevant ministers to submit a detailed report every two weeks outlining actions taken, results achieved and any difficulties encountered to ensure monitoring and evaluation. However, authorities have not yet disclosed the precise implementation measures.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum