Angola and DRC Strengthen Energy Partnership Through Major Cross-Border Power Project
Angola and DRC Plan 1,450km Power Transmission Network to Deliver Over 2,000MW of Electricity
Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are set to deepen their energy cooperation through the development of two major electricity transmission lines spanning more than 1,400 kilometers, according to DRC Minister of Water Resources and Electricity, Teddy Molendo Sakombi.
Speaking in Luanda on Thursday after meeting Angolan President João Lourenço, Sakombi revealed plans for two cross-border power transmission projects.
The first line will connect Angola’s Malanje Province to the DRC, while the second will link the Angolan city of Soyo to the Inga Hydroelectric Complex in the DRC.
According to the minister, the DRC intends to purchase electricity from Angola and transmit it across approximately 1,450 kilometers to meet growing domestic demand.
“We want to acquire energy from Angola and transmit it to the DRC over a distance of 1,450 kilometers.
The electricity could originate in Malanje, pass through Dilolo, and reach our country, benefiting both businesses and communities,” Sakombi said.
The DRC is seeking to secure more than 2,000 megawatts of electricity from Angola as the Inga Hydroelectric Complex has not yet reached its full operational capacity.
“That is why we are considering acquiring energy from a sister nation to help provide reliable electricity to our population and businesses,” he added.
Sakombi noted that the project is expected to stimulate economic growth in both countries and contribute to regional development.
Given the scale of the infrastructure, investment costs are expected to reach hundreds of millions of dollars.
The initiative is designed to address the DRC’s immediate energy needs while work continues on expanding the Inga Hydroelectric Complex.
With a population estimated at more than 100 million people, the country faces increasing demand for reliable power supply.
The minister said President João Lourenço expressed support for the project. Following the presentation of the proposal to DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, technical studies will be accelerated with the goal of completing the first transmission line within 18 months.
On the same day, President Lourenço also received Sumbu Sita Mambu, a senior representative of President Tshisekedi, who delivered a written message from the Congolese leader.
