Title: Reforms in the DRC to ensure the supply of drinking water and access to energy
Introduction:
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has undertaken major reforms to ensure the supply of drinking water and access to energy in the country. Within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Congolese government is implementing strategies aimed at providing clean water to the population as well as developing the energy sector. This article highlights DRC’s efforts to address these critical challenges.
The water sector in the DRC:
The Congolese government has accelerated the implementation of a reform aimed at decentralizing and liberalizing water services. Regulatory texts have been finalized and a Water Sector Regulatory Authority has been set up, allowing the entry of private actors into the sector. Actions are also undertaken at the local level for the creation of independent water boards. In addition, a national water policy has been developed to guarantee access to clean and safe water for all Congolese.
To address the water crisis, particularly in rural areas, the government launched Project 145T. This program aims to rehabilitate and build improved water sources and water boreholes, thus covering the needs of more than 15 million people. These measures ensure a supply of drinking water to more than two million Congolese households.
Energy challenges in the DRC:
The energy sector remains a priority for the DRC, which aspires to drastically increase access to electricity. With this in mind, the government implemented the Electricity Law, liberalizing the sector. The emergence of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE) and the National Agency for Electrification and Energy Services in Rural and Suburban Areas (ANSER) has enabled significant development of the sector. The share of the private sector in the overall electricity supply in the DRC is constantly growing, currently representing 13% of the total supply.
However, challenges remain to meet the growing demand for electricity, especially from the mining industry which accounts for 55% of total electricity demand. Power quality issues and frequent outages affect industries and services that rely on electricity. To resolve this situation, the DRC remains open to partnerships and exchanges of experience with other countries.
Conclusion:
The DRC is implementing ambitious reforms to guarantee the supply of drinking water and access to energy in the country. The efforts made in the water sector, such as the decentralization of services and the creation of a Regulatory Authority, as well as the actions undertaken to develop the energy sector, demonstrate the Congolese government’s commitment to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The implementation of these reforms will improve the quality of life of the Congolese and promote the socio-economic development of the country