President Tshisekedi Demands “Urgent” Completion of Governance Framework for Inga III

March 22, 2026 - President Félix Tshisekedi has called for the rapid finalization of the governance framework for the Grand Inga hydropower project, emphasizing its strategic importance in transforming the Democratic Republic of Congo into a continental energy powerhouse. Speaking at the 83rd Council of Ministers meeting on March 20 at the African Union City in Kinshasa, the President underscored the project’s potential to generate 42,000 MW, describing it as a “sovereign lever for industrialization, ecological transition, and social dignity” for the Congolese people. “The Grand Inga project embodies a historic choice: to sustainably electrify the country, support youth employment, drive green growth based on a responsible mining industry, and assert the DRC’s energy leadership in Africa,” he said. President Tshisekedi highlighted the critical role of world-class partnerships in realizing this vision. He recalled the World Bank’s approval of a US$1 billion loan for the Inga III development program on June 3, 2025, of which US$250 million is already available. He stressed that, with the financing agreements now in force as of February 2, 2026, the project’s governance framework must be finalized urgently. To this end, he instructed relevant ministries-including Industry, National Education, Mines, Environment, Higher Education, Employment, and Water Resources and Electricity-and the Kongo Central provincial government to complete the necessary memoranda of understanding with the Agency for the Development and Promotion of the Grand Inga Project (ADPI-RDC) within 60 days. Signed protocols must be forwarded to donors no later than April 3, 2026. The President also urged the government to review and finalize the Inga bill, aiming for adoption at the March 27 Council of Ministers meeting and submission to Parliament by March 31, 2026. This legislation is considered a key prerequisite for unlocking World Bank support. A progress report on these directives is expected within five days. President Tshisekedi framed the Inga III program as central to addressing the country’s energy deficit, noting that only 21% of Congolese households currently have access to electricity. The project is a cornerstone of the National Energy Pact and aligns with Africa-wide initiatives, such as Mission 300, aimed at expanding energy access. By 2030, the government aims to increase electricity coverage to 62% of the population, leveraging Inga III to accelerate institutional reforms, infrastructure development, and private sector engagement. The Inga III development program, structured in multi-phase investments, will also target local communities, job creation, and infrastructure, laying the foundation for sustainable energy growth well beyond 2030, according to the World Bank.