The World Bank and other financial institutions are in discussions about funding a massive hydro-power project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that could supply electricity across the entire African continent. The Grand Inga Dam, capable of producing 44,000 Megawatts of power and estimated to cost $80 billion, has the potential to end energy shortages in the DRC.
Kenyan government representative Marlena Nyanserema-Achoki emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “The national electricity utility serves the population and companies. While it gives priority to the mining companies that have invested, there is nowhere that the contract says 100 percent of the power should go to the mining companies.”
Construction of the dam, which will be the world’s largest hydropower dam once completed, had stalled for over a decade due to transparency issues between the former DRC government and the World Bank. However, the current government has revived talks to fund the project, despite opposition from activists who argue it prioritizes investors in the mining sector over nationwide electricity access.
Eric Monga, Vice-President of the Congo Business Federation (FEC), expressed the urgent need for the project, saying, “We have to do it, regardless of the size of the project, whether here at INGA or anywhere in the country, even if it is a small dam, it must be built.” Businesspeople attending the Makutano international forum ending on November 15 eagerly await the dam’s operations, hoping it will address the nation’s energy poverty and provide much-needed electricity.
- Tags: Dam, DRC, Hydro Power, World Bank
