U.S. Invests $15.5 Million in DRC’s Electricity Infrastructure Through Power Africa Initiative
The United States has announced a $15.5 million investment to enhance electricity services in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the next four years.
This funding is part of Project Power Africa, a presidential initiative launched in 2013 to improve access to reliable electricity and support economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa.
Richard Nelson, Power Africa Coordinator, shared the news during a press briefing in Kinshasa. He explained that Power Africa collaborates with local stakeholders, including government agencies, private companies, and community organizations, to implement tailored solutions for the DRC’s energy challenges.
“We are providing substantial technical assistance and grants to local company Altech and Power Africa partner Bboxx to expand their off-grid solar operations into underserved regions, where electricity access is often below 5%,” Nelson stated.
The objectives of the Power Africa initiative include:
-Supporting government utilities such as the Electricity Sector Regulatory Authority (ARE) and the National Agency for Electrification and Energy Services (ANSER) with geospatial information systems to improve data collection, project planning, and electricity access monitoring.
-Developing technical skills among SNEL staff for better electricity system planning, analysis, and operation.
To date, Power Africa has facilitated over 489,799 off-grid connections in the DRC, benefiting nearly 2.5 million people. The initiative is committed to working with other development agencies to enhance energy access through joint programs, co-financing opportunities, and coordinated resource sharing.
