Mobile operator Telecel has launched 4G services in the Central African Republic, intensifying competition in the country’s fast-growing but still underdeveloped telecommunications sector.
The company officially unveiled the service during a ceremony held Tuesday at its headquarters in the capital, Bangui, attended by government officials and executives from Telecel Group.
The rollout places Telecel alongside rivals Orange and Moov Africa, which both introduced 4G services in the country in 2025 as demand for high-speed mobile internet continues to grow.
Authorities said the launch marked an important step in the country’s digital transformation strategy, aimed at expanding access to online services, mobile banking, e-commerce and remote education.
“Expanding connectivity across the country means enabling a farmer in Bossangoa to sell online, a student in Bambari to attend remote classes, and a trader in PK5 to access mobile money services without interruption,” Posts and Telecommunications Minister Justin Gourna Zacko said during the launch event.
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The minister said the expansion forms part of the government’s “Digital Central Africa 2030” strategy, which seeks to modernise the country’s digital infrastructure and improve internet access.
Telecel’s launch comes as operators compete for market share in a country where internet penetration remains among the lowest in Africa.
Orange currently dominates the sector, saying earlier this year that it controlled around 60% of the mobile market, 65 percent of fixed business services and more than 90 percent of the mobile money segment.
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Moov Africa has estimated its market share at around 11 percent, while Telecel is believed to account for most of the remaining subscribers.
Despite the growing competition, the sector still faces major structural challenges. According to DataReportal, the Central African Republic had about 2.49 million mobile subscribers at the end of 2025, representing a penetration rate of 38.1 percent.
Internet adoption remains significantly lower, with roughly 670,000 users, equivalent to around 12% of the population.
Most 4G coverage is currently concentrated in Bangui, while large parts of the country continue to rely on older 2G and 3G networks. Authorities say expanding coverage to secondary cities and major transport corridors will be the next priority.
The government has indicated that operators investing in underserved rural areas could benefit from support through the Universal Service Fund, which is intended to help finance telecommunications infrastructure expansion.
Industry analysts say affordability remains another major barrier to digital adoption. Many consumers still struggle with the cost of smartphones, internet-enabled devices and mobile data packages.
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To address this, some operators across Africa have introduced installment payment plans for devices or bundled smartphones with internet subscriptions to encourage wider broadband use.
Telecel said its new 4G network would support faster internet speeds and improved digital services for both households and businesses, including video streaming, mobile payments, remote work and online learning.
The launch reflects growing interest among telecom operators in expanding digital services in Central Africa, where low connectivity rates present long-term growth opportunities despite infrastructure and affordability challenges.
