With an estimated 100 GW of hydropower potential – roughly 13% of the world’s total – the DRC holds one of the largest undeveloped renewable energy resources globally. Yet installed capacity remains below 3 GW, underscoring both the scale of the gap and the opportunity.

At the center of the long-term vision is the Grand Inga project, a multi-phase development on the Congo River with the potential to generate 40-70 GW once fully completed. Momentum has recently picked up, with the DRC fast-tracking development plans ahead of renewed engagement with regional offtakers, including South Africa. While timelines remain fluid, even partial delivery – such as the long-planned Inga III phase, estimated at around 11 GW – would rank among the world’s largest power projects and serve as a cornerstone for cross-border electricity trade across Southern and Central Africa.

Beyond mega-projects, a more immediate pipeline is taking shape. The DRC and TotalEnergies are advancing discussions around the 206 MW Ruzizi II hydropower project, a cross-border development with Burundi, while construction began in July 2025 on the 64 MW Katende hydropower plant to strengthen domestic supply, particularly for mining regions in Kasai.

For investors, the opportunity is not limited to generation. The DRC’s transmission and distribution network remains severely underdeveloped, with electrification rates below 20% nationally and significantly lower in rural areas. Grid expansion, cross-border interconnections and decentralized energy solutions – including mini-grids – represent investable segments that align with both development finance and commercial capital.

By establishing a sovereign benchmark and re-engaging with international capital markets, the government is beginning to create a pricing framework that can support project financing at scale. This is particularly relevant for power, where long-term capital, risk mitigation instruments and blended finance structures are essential to unlocking projects.

At IAE Paris, DRC Minister of Hydropower and Electricity, Aimé Sakombi Molendo, is expected to outline priorities centered on accelerating project delivery, expanding private sector participation and strengthening regulatory clarity. For investors attending the forum, the focus will target executable opportunities – particularly those that can be structured with development finance support or anchored by industrial demand.

The DRC’s mining sector – responsible for over 70% of global cobalt production – continues to face power shortages that constrain output and limit downstream processing. Addressing these constraints through dedicated generation and grid investments presents a clear, revenue-linked entry point for power developers and infrastructure funds.

Risks remain, particularly around project execution and regional stability. However, the Eurobond issuance suggests that investors are increasingly willing to engage where there is a credible pathway to returns. In the case of the DRC, that pathway is becoming clearer – anchored in bankable projects, rising energy demand and a government seeking to align financial strategy with infrastructure delivery.

IAE 2026 is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.invest-africa-energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com