How to Use Claude AI in the DRC

Claude AI is an artificial intelligence assistant developed by Anthropic. Depending on regional availability and payment options, access to Claude may be limited in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

This guide describes a setup procedure that can be used to access Claude from the DRC under the conditions described below.

Important: Claude, Google Play Store, and payment-method availability may change over time. The use of a VPN or prepaid payment method should also comply with the terms and conditions of the services involved.

What You Need

Before getting started, prepare the following:

• A prepaid Visa or Mastercard, either virtual or physical, that supports online payments.
• A VPN with servers available in the United States, such as VPN Super Unlimited Proxy.
• A Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.
• A Gmail account that you can use to create your Claude account.

The Setup Process

1. Turn on the VPN

The first step is to install and activate a VPN.

For this example, you can use VPN Super Unlimited Proxy, which offers a free version.

Turn on the VPN and select United States (USA) as your location, for example.

Keep the VPN active throughout the configuration process.

2. Create a New Gmail Account

The next step is to create a new Google/Gmail account.

On your Android phone:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Go to your Google account settings.
3. Select Add another account.
4. Create or add your new Gmail address.

In the scenario described in this guide, using the VPN before creating/adding the new account may allow the Play Store to display Claude when it may not appear with an account configured for the DRC.

3. Install Claude

Once your new Google account has been configured and the VPN is still active:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for Claude.
3. Install the official Claude application.

If the application appears correctly in the Play Store, proceed with the installation.

4. Add a Payment Method to Google Play

To subscribe to Claude Pro through the mobile application, you need an accepted payment method.

In Google Play:

1. Open your payment settings.
2. Add your prepaid Visa or Mastercard.
3. Enter the requested information.
4. If a billing address is requested, provide information consistent with the payment profile you are using.

Important: billing information must comply with the payment provider's requirements. A card may be declined if it does not support international payments or if the information provided does not meet the service's requirements.

5. Create Your Claude Account

Open the Claude application.

1. Select the Google sign-in/sign-up option.
2. Choose the new Gmail account you created earlier.
3. Complete the requested information.
4. Finish creating your Claude account.

You now have a Claude account.

6. Subscribe to Claude Pro

If you want access to additional Claude features, you can subscribe to Claude Pro.

Option 1 — From the Mobile App

In the Claude application:

1. Open your account.
2. Select the Claude Pro plan.
3. Choose the available payment method.
4. Select your prepaid card.
5. Confirm the payment.

Option 2 — From the Web

You can also use Claude through a web browser.

1. Open your browser.
2. Go to claude.ai.
3. Sign in to your account.
4. Select the Claude Pro plan.
5. Choose the available payment method, including Google Pay when available.
6. Confirm the payment.

You Can Now Use Claude in the DRC

Once the setup is complete and your subscription is active, you can use Claude from the DRC according to the configuration of your account.

A VPN may be required when accessing Claude if access to the account or service depends on the configured location.

Quick Checklist

Before getting started, make sure you have:

1. ✅ A VPN installed and activated.
2. ✅ A VPN server selected, for example in the United States.
3. ✅ A Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.
4. ✅ A new Gmail account configured while the VPN is active.
5. ✅ Claude available in your Google Play Store.
6. ✅ A prepaid Visa or Mastercard that supports online payments.
7. ✅ A payment method configured in Google Play.
8. ✅ A Claude account created with your Gmail address.
9. ✅ A Claude Pro subscription if you want access to the paid features.

Key Takeaway

The procedure described in this guide mainly relies on three elements: VPN + Google account configured with the appropriate location + an accepted international payment method.

Because the geographic availability policies, payment methods, and terms of service of Claude, Google Play, and VPN providers may change, this procedure may not work in exactly the same way for every user.

This article is provided for informational purposes.