Keypoints:
- DRC holds 100,000MW hydropower potential but uses just 3%
- Forum to connect investors with pre-vetted energy projects
- Focus spans mega-hydro, mini-grids and renewable finance
THE Democratic Republic of Congo is seeking fresh investment to unlock one of the world’s largest untapped energy reserves, as policymakers, financiers and developers prepare for a major energy-focused session at the DRC Investment Forum on August 27.
According to organisers of the forum, the country possesses an estimated 100,000 megawatts of hydropower potential—roughly 13 percent of global capacity—but currently harnesses only around 3 percent of it.
Power deficit threatens industrial ambitions
The forum’s Energy Half-Day will focus on connecting investors with bankable projects across electricity generation, transmission and rural electrification. Organisers say expanding power access is becoming increasingly urgent as the DRC seeks to strengthen mining output, agriculture and industrial development while reducing dependence on costly diesel generation.
The World Bank estimates that less than a quarter of the DRC’s population has access to electricity, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing Africa’s second-largest country by landmass.
Electricity shortages weigh on mining and industry
Despite its vast rivers and hydropower resources, the DRC remains among the world’s least electrified nations. Large mining operations and industrial facilities continue to depend heavily on diesel generators, increasing production costs and carbon emissions.
The country’s growing mining ambitions are expected to intensify pressure on the electricity sector. Earlier this year, the government outlined plans to sharply increase lithium production as demand for critical minerals accelerates globally. DRC targets 130,000t lithium by 2028.
Ben Leyka, chief executive of DRC Invest, the forum organiser, said the barriers are largely financial and operational rather than technical.
‘The DRC’s energy story is not a technical problem. The water falls. The rivers flow,’ he said.
‘It is a capital problem and a delivery problem. This half-day is designed to match the projects with the money and the execution partners to finally build them.’
Balancing mega-projects with local needs
A central issue at the forum will be how to balance large-scale infrastructure ambitions with immediate local electricity needs.
Major hydropower developments linked to the Inga dams have long been viewed as capable of supplying power across large parts of Africa. However, rural communities and smaller industries require faster and more decentralised solutions such as mini-grids and off-grid systems.
Debate surrounding the Grand Inga project has increasingly centred on whether the mega-dam can realistically transform Africa’s energy landscape or whether decentralised systems offer faster solutions for underserved communities. Grand Inga Dam: Africa’s power revolution or pipe dream?
Organisers said discussions will address both priorities simultaneously, reflecting the need for immediate electrification alongside long-term continental-scale infrastructure.
Private sector participation under spotlight
For large-scale generation and transmission, discussions are expected to focus heavily on private sector involvement.
Mining companies operating in the DRC require hundreds of megawatts of stable electricity supply, yet many currently face some of the highest industrial energy costs in the region because of diesel dependence.
Independent power producers, captive power systems and public-private partnerships for transmission infrastructure are expected to feature prominently in policy discussions. Delegates will also examine tariff reforms and regulatory changes needed to attract long-term capital.
Renewable projects face financing hurdles
The forum will also examine financing obstacles facing renewable energy projects across solar, wind and hydro sectors.
Many projects struggle to secure commercial lending because of concerns over risk, returns and long-term project viability. Discussions are expected to centre on blended finance, concessional funding, guarantees and carbon market mechanisms aimed at improving project bankability.
Recent African energy sector reports have increasingly highlighted the central role of renewables and power infrastructure in supporting long-term economic transformation across the continent. Energy transition central to Africa’s economic future, says report.
Organisers argue that while the DRC’s energy resources are globally significant, investor confidence will depend on clear commercial structures and reliable execution frameworks.
Rural electrification linked to economic growth
Rural electrification discussions will place strong emphasis on productive economic use rather than household access alone.
Organisers say previous electrification programmes often failed because they treated rural power primarily as a social service instead of an economic driver.
Newer models focus on powering productive activities such as rice milling, cassava processing, mining cooperatives and small manufacturing businesses to generate sustainable revenue for mini-grid operators.
Investors to assess project viability
The Energy Half-Day will feature Investment Discovery Sessions presenting pre-screened projects covering hydropower rehabilitation, solar photovoltaic systems, wind developments, biomass projects and mini-grid clusters.
Each proposal will be reviewed by investors and financial experts assessing whether projects are commercially viable and capable of attracting funding.
Organisers say the emphasis on pre-vetted projects and direct investor engagement is intended to move discussions beyond traditional conference rhetoric towards actual financing outcomes.
Forum expands focus beyond energy
The Energy Half-Day forms part of the broader DRC Investment Forum programme in Kinshasa. Agribusiness sessions will take place earlier on August 27, while August 28 will focus on critical minerals, another strategic sector for the country’s economy.
The wider programme also includes a Congo2050 youth entrepreneurship initiative, an exhibition platform and a business matchmaking system that facilitated more than 500 confirmed meetings during the previous edition.
Registration for the forum remains open, with organisers offering visa support for international participants.
For more information on the Congo2050 NextGen programme or to register, visit www.drcinvestforum.com.
