Title: Access to electricity in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a major challenge for the Mwangaza Network
Introduction :
Access to electricity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a crucial challenge for the country’s development. The Mwangaza Network, an organization committed to the fight for access to electricity, recently began consultations to raise awareness among stakeholders on the need to allocate a share of the energy produced to the regions served by the installations of the independent producers. In this article, we will explore the advocacy of the Mwangaza Network and the implications of this approach for improving access to electricity in the DRC.
A crucial issue:
Access to electricity is a crucial issue for the economic and social development of the DRC. Despite an installed electrical energy capacity of 3,000 MW, the situation of consumers remains precarious in many regions of the country. It is in this context that the Mwangaza Network, a civil society structure, calls for a fair distribution of the energy produced by private operators.
The advocacy of the Mwangaza Network:
The Mwangaza Network proposes that private electricity producers in the DRC be forced to allocate part of their production to improve the energy supply to populations. According to the network’s spokesperson, Erick Kassongo, this approach is part of the sovereign mission of the State to promote access to electricity for all.
Currently, Congolese legislation provides that electricity producers must pay electricity to communities located near their facilities. The Mwangaza Network believes that the state can use these legal provisions to introduce an electricity distribution quota, thereby encouraging producers to contribute to improving access to electricity for all.
The role of private operators:
The DRC has several private operators in the electricity sector, in addition to the National Electricity Company (SNEL). These operators include Sicohydro, ZESCO Zambia, CEC Coperbelt Energy Corporation, E2C Energie du Congo, and many others. The Mwangaza Network stresses that these private actors have an essential role to play in improving access to electricity.
By establishing an electricity distribution quota, the Mwangaza Network hopes to encourage private operators to play a more active role in serving the areas where their installations are deployed. This initiative aims to ensure that people have equitable access to electrical energy.
Conclusion :
Access to electricity in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a major challenge for the country’s development. The Mwangaza Network, through its advocacy for an electricity distribution quota, seeks to raise awareness among sector players and public authorities on the importance of allocating a share of the energy produced to underserved populations. . This approach aims to promote equitable access to electricity for all Congolese, thus contributing to the economic and social development of the country.