The Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa will resume talks next month on the long-delayed Inga 3 hydroelectric project, with plans to scale up electricity exports as part of efforts to unlock one of Africa’s largest energy schemes.
The discussions, expected in April, will focus on updating bilateral agreements linked to the project, including a potential increase in planned power exports, according to Congolese authorities.
South Africa’s Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is due to visit Kinshasa for the talks, which are seen as a key step in reviving momentum around the multi-billion-dollar project.
A memorandum of understanding already in place between the two countries provides for exports of 2,500 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the Inga 3 facility. Negotiations are now underway to renew the deal and potentially double that capacity to 5,000 MW, reflecting rising energy demand in the region.
The Inga 3 project forms part of the broader Grand Inga hydropower complex on the Congo River, widely considered one of the largest untapped sources of hydroelectric power in the world.
Backers say the project could transform the DRC into a major regional electricity supplier, helping to meet domestic demand while exporting power to energy-deficient economies across southern, eastern and central Africa.
The World Bank, which is supporting project preparation, has said Inga 3 could play a pivotal role in strengthening regional power integration and supporting industrial development, particularly around Kinshasa.
Authorities in the DRC are also working to advance the project’s financing structure. The government is preparing to sign an agreement with the Agency for the Development and Promotion of the Grand Inga Project to move forward with financial planning, with backing from international partners.
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Earlier this year, the French Development Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with ADPI in Kinshasa to support project preparation, underscoring renewed international interest in the initiative.
Despite its potential, Inga 3 remains at the planning stage, with key technical and financial parameters yet to be finalised. Estimated generation capacity ranges from around 4,800 MW to 11,000 MW, while total costs are expected to exceed $10 billion.
The World Bank has stressed that careful preparation will be essential given the scale and complexity of the project, including its environmental, social and economic implications.
To support this process, the bank has committed up to US$1 billion over a 10-year period under the Inga 3 Development Programme, structured in four phases of US$250 million each. The first phase was approved in June 2025.
For the DRC, the project is central to its long-term energy strategy, with authorities seeking to leverage the country’s vast hydropower potential to drive economic growth and attract industrial investment.
At the same time, expanding electricity exports could generate significant foreign exchange earnings, while helping address chronic power shortages in neighbouring countries.
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Analysts say renewed engagement with South Africa—a major electricity consumer—signals a pragmatic approach by Kinshasa to secure anchor demand for the project, which is critical to attracting financing and ensuring commercial viability.
However, challenges remain, including the need to secure funding, finalise contractual arrangements and address governance and infrastructure constraints that have delayed previous attempts to develop the site.
For now, the planned talks in April are being closely watched as a potential turning point for a project that has long been seen as a cornerstone of Africa’s energy future, but has yet to move beyond the drawing board.
Background to the Inga Project
The Inga 3 project is part of the larger Grand Inga hydropower scheme on the Congo River in Democratic Republic of Congo, widely regarded as one of the most ambitious energy projects in the world. Located at the Inga Falls site, the project builds on two existing dams—Inga I and Inga II—which have long operated below capacity due to aging infrastructure and maintenance challenges.
Grand Inga, if fully developed, could generate more than 40,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, making it the largest hydropower complex globally. Inga 3 represents the next phase of this vision, with planned capacity ranging between roughly 4,800 MW and 11,000 MW, depending on the final design.
The project has been under discussion for decades but has faced repeated delays due to financing constraints, governance concerns and shifting political priorities. Several international partners and private investors have entered and exited negotiations over the years, reflecting the complexity and scale of the undertaking.
In recent years, the World Bank has re-engaged in supporting the project, focusing on preparatory work through the Inga 3 Development Programme. The initiative includes technical studies, environmental and social assessments, and efforts to strengthen institutional capacity in the DRC.
The bank has committed up to US$1 billion over a 10-year period to support early-stage development, structured in phases to address the project’s risks and readiness.
A key aspect of Inga 3’s viability lies in securing long-term electricity buyers. South Africa has emerged as a crucial partner in this regard, given its large and growing energy demand and ongoing power supply challenges.
A memorandum of understanding between the two countries already provides for the export of 2,500 MW of electricity from the future plant, positioning South Africa as an anchor customer. Expanding this agreement to higher volumes is seen as critical to unlocking financing and advancing the project toward a final investment decision.
Beyond South Africa, the project is expected to supply electricity to multiple regional power pools, including those in southern, eastern and central Africa. This aligns with broader efforts to strengthen cross-border electricity trade and improve energy access across the continent.
For the DRC, which has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world despite vast energy resources, Inga 3 is central to its long-term development strategy. Authorities aim to use the project not only to boost exports but also to expand domestic electricity supply, particularly for industrial zones around Kinshasa.
However, the project has also raised concerns, particularly around environmental and social impacts. Large-scale hydropower developments can involve displacement of communities, ecosystem disruption and complex resettlement issues, all of which require careful planning and oversight.
Governance and transparency have also been recurring concerns among investors and development partners, given the scale of financing required—estimated at more than $10 billion—and the need for strong institutional frameworks.
Despite these challenges, renewed diplomatic and financial engagement around Inga 3 reflects growing recognition of its potential to reshape Africa’s energy landscape.
If successfully implemented, the project could position the DRC as a major electricity exporter, support regional integration and help address chronic power shortages across several African economies.
