The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and France are consolidating their energy partnership around the Inga 3 hydroelectric project. A memorandum of understanding was signed on February 2, 2026 in Kinshasa between the Agency for the Development and Promotion of the Inga 3 Project (ADPI) and the French Development Agency (AFD), with the aim of supporting the structuring and implementation of one of the largest energy projects in Africa, estimated at approximately USD 14 billion.
According to the ADPI, this protocol aims primarily to strengthen the technical, institutional, and strategic support for the Inga 3 project, prior to its implementation phase. The goal is to lay the foundations for controlled, sustainable, and inclusive development, ensuring that the energy produced effectively contributes to the economic and social transformation of the DRC, while promoting better local community ownership of the project.
The partnership notably includes strengthening planning, engineering, and project governance capacities to ensure its long-term viability. The two parties also intend to work on mechanisms to optimize the socio-economic impact of the infrastructure, in line with national priorities for industrialization, access to electricity, and local value creation.
From the French perspective, Inga 3 is seen as a strategic lever to sustainably improve access to reliable, competitive, and quality electricity in the DRC. AFD emphasizes the importance of a rigorous implementation framework capable of translating the estimated USD 14 billion investment into tangible benefits for the population, while respecting international environmental and social standards.
Located in the province of Kongo Central, in the west of the country, the Inga 3 project involves the construction of a hydroelectric power plant with an installed capacity of around 11,000 megawatts. A key pillar of the national energy strategy, it aims to reduce the structural electricity deficit while positioning the DRC as a future regional hub for energy exports to Southern and Central Africa. The effective start of the project is envisaged between 2028 and 2032, subject to full mobilization of financing and completion of preparatory studies.
As a reminder, the Agency for the Development and Promotion of the Grand Inga Project (ADPI-RDC) is a specialized service attached to the Presidency of the Republic, created by ordinance No. 15/079 of October 13, 2015. It is responsible for promoting, developing, and coordinating the entire Grand Inga hydroelectric project, considered strategic for the energy and economic future of the DRC.
