Vertical: Oil & Gas
Application: Oil field operations, production monitoring, infrastructure connectivity
Ecosystem: Airtel Congo
Private Network: LTE
Telecommunications operator Airtel Congo has formed a strategic partnership with Wing Wah, a private oil company operating under Congolese law and subsidiary of Chinese group Southernpec, to deploy a private telecommunications network at the Banga Kayo oil site in the department of Kouilou.
The five-year contract represents a significant milestone for Congo-Brazzaville, as this private network marks the first of its kind in the country. The deployment aims to address the specific connectivity requirements of Wing Wah’s oil operations while establishing foundations for more robust digital infrastructure in the region.
This private network is said to be the first of its kind in Congo-Brazzaville and will be designed and implemented by Airtel Congo to meet Wing Wah’s operational needs. The network is expected to strengthen connectivity, security and efficiency of on-site activities at the oil field.
Wing Wah’s Banga Kayo project represents substantial investment in Congo’s energy sector. It was described last year by the African Energy Chamber, an energy advocacy group, as a US$2 billion integrated energy project to bolster resource monetization in the Republic of the Congo and forms part of the country’s strategy to increase hydrocarbon production to 500,000 barrels per day.
The project encompasses both oil production and gas monetization components. Beyond traditional extraction, the initiative focuses on converting flared gas into liquefied natural gas, butane and propane, contributing to energy security and economic diversification for the Republic of Congo.
Airtel Congo Managing Director Djibril Tobe emphasized the partnership’s broader implications, stating: “This partnership illustrates our constant commitment to innovation and to harnessing connectivity to advance the economic development of Congo-Brazzaville.”
While technical specifications remain limited, the network is likely to utilize 4G technology, as 5G deployment remains in early stages throughout the country. The private network will be optimized for industrial applications, providing the reliability and security required for critical oil and gas operations. This deployment positions Congo-Brazzaville among African nations leveraging private networks to support industrial operations. The partnership demonstrates growing collaboration between telecommunications operators and energy companies to address connectivity challenges in remote operational sites across the continent.
