DRC and South Africa Move to Revive Inga 3 Hydropower Project Talks
Inga 3 Hydropower Project: Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa Resume Energy Talks to Boost Power Exports
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Africa are set to resume discussions on the long-delayed Inga 3 hydroelectric project in April 2026, according to a March 12 statement from the Congolese Ministry of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity.
South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has confirmed plans for an official visit to the DRC aimed at advancing negotiations.
The talks will focus on renewing and updating bilateral energy cooperation agreements linked to the project.
A political memorandum of understanding (MoU) is already in place between the two countries, providing for the export of 2,500 megawatts of electricity from the DRC to South Africa, according to project documentation from the World Bank.
However, both parties are expected to renegotiate the agreement, with discussions likely to include increasing the export capacity target to 5,000 megawatts.
The World Bank has highlighted the transformative potential of the Inga 3 project for regional energy markets.
If completed, the project could significantly expand the DRC’s role in cross-border electricity trade, enabling it to supply not only domestic demand but also multiple regional power networks.
These include the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP), and the Central African Power Pool (CAPP). Beyond export revenues, the project is also expected to strengthen power supply to Kinshasa and support industrial development around the Inga site.
Financing and Strategic Agreements
Congolese authorities are also working to formalize financing arrangements. Plans are underway to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Agency for the Development and Promotion of the Grand Inga Project (ADPI), with support from the World Bank, to structure funding for Inga 3.
Earlier progress includes a February 2, 2026 agreement in Kinshasa between ADPI and the French Development Agency (AFD), aimed at supporting project preparation activities.
Despite renewed momentum, Inga 3 remains in the preparatory phase. Final project specifications have yet to be determined, with capacity options under consideration ranging from approximately 4,800 megawatts to 11,000 megawatts. Estimated costs are expected to exceed $10 billion.
The World Bank has emphasized that preparation must extend beyond technical design to include institutional readiness, social safeguards, territorial planning, and financial structuring, given the project’s scale and complexity.
To support this process, the Inga 3 Development Program has been established with $1 billion in World Bank financing over a ten-year period.
The program is structured in four phases of $250 million each, with the first tranche approved on June 3, 2025.
While a final investment decision is still pending, current efforts reflect the DRC government’s push to reinvigorate diplomatic, technical, and financial partnerships. Congolese authorities continue to position Inga 3 as a cornerstone of the country’s long-term energy strategy.
SOURCE:bankable.africa
