Angola and Democratic Republic of the Congo are moving ahead with plans to develop one of Africa’s largest electricity interconnection projects, aimed at strengthening regional power supply and boosting economic cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking in Luanda on Thursday after meeting João Lourenço, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Water Resources and Electricity, Molendo Sakombi, disclosed that the project will involve the construction of a transmission line stretching about 1,450 kilometres from Malanje in Angola to Fungurume in the DRC.
According to Minister Sakombi, the initiative will also include a second transmission line connecting Angola’s Zaire Province to Inga in the DRC to facilitate the delivery of 2,000 megawatts of electricity to the Congolese side.
He explained that the large-scale infrastructure project, estimated to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, is still undergoing detailed technical and feasibility studies due to its complexity and strategic importance.
The minister stated that the project is intended to help address the DRC’s growing electricity demand while the country continues developing the Inga hydropower project, which is expected to become one of Africa’s largest future energy hubs.
He noted that the DRC turned to Angola to secure an additional 2,000 megawatts to support households, industries, and communities across the country.
Minister Sakombi added that stronger electricity cooperation between the two neighbouring countries is expected to enhance energy security, stimulate economic activity, and deepen bilateral relations.
Fungurume, located in the mineral-rich Lualaba Province of southeastern DRC, is regarded as a major mining centre, while Dilolo borders Angola’s Lunda-Sul Province.
President João Lourenço also met Sumbu Sita Mambu, who delivered messages from Félix Tshisekedi regarding issues of mutual interest between the two nations.