DRC Pushes for Energy Transformation as It Showcases Massive Hydropower Potential at African Energy Forum
DRC Highlights 167,000 MW Hydropower Potential at Invest in African Energy Forum 2026, Calls for Faster Project Execution
The Minister of Water Resources and Electricity, Aimé Sakombi Molendo, participated on Tuesday, April 22, 2026, in a ministerial panel at the Invest in African Energy Forum 2026.
The forum brings together governments, investors, and industry leaders to address financing, energy development, and energy security across Africa.
During his intervention, the Minister revealed that the Democratic Republic of Congo’s hydropower potential is estimated at around 167,000 MW, spread across approximately 3,350 sites nationwide.
These figures come from a study conducted by the engineering firm Artelia, with support from the World Bank.
He emphasized, however, that the country’s main challenge is no longer the size of its potential, but its conversion into actual electricity generation capacity.
This reflects a strategic shift toward accelerating project implementation rather than focusing solely on resource assessment.
In this context, the DRC reiterated its commitment to speeding up ongoing energy projects and completing key reforms under the Energy Compact framework.
The government also stressed the importance of partnering with investors capable of contributing to a structural transformation of the energy sector, beyond traditional financing models.
Minister Sakombi reaffirmed the central role of the Inga hydropower site, which remains a cornerstone of the country’s long-term energy strategy and a potential driver of regional power supply.
He also highlighted several priority projects expected to support national development and industrial growth, including Pioka (6,450 MW), Katende (64 MW), and Tshopo I & II (40 MW).
These projects are intended to strengthen electricity supply for key sectors, particularly mining and local industrial processing.
Overall, the DRC aims to align its vast energy resources with its economic ambitions by accelerating infrastructure development and expanding reliable power access across the country.
