Fatshimetrie
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Kinshasa, October 23, 2024
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is truly blessed by Mother Nature in terms of energy resources. Indeed, according to the remarks made by the Minister of Water Resources and Electricity at the World Bank’s annual meetings in Washington, the DRC has an impressive solar potential estimated at 5.7 kW per square meter. This figure places the country among the best-off on the African continent in terms of sunshine.
In addition to this great solar potential, the DRC has exceptional hydraulic wealth. With 50% of Africa’s waters and 6% of the world’s waters, the country has a colossal hydroelectric potential of 100,000 megawatts. However, despite these dizzying figures, only 2.5% of this resource is currently exploited. It is therefore crucial to take advantage of these natural resources for the well-being and development of the country.
Minister Teddy Lwamba stressed the need to develop the country’s energy infrastructure in order to fully exploit these resources. One of the proposals put forward is the establishment of mini-grids to enable rural populations to access electricity. He also highlighted the importance of energy decentralization and the involvement of the private sector to boost the country’s energy development.
The liberalization of the electricity sector, initiated nearly ten years ago, has paved the way for private investment in the energy sector in the DRC. This openness has created an environment conducive to potential investors and has made it possible to consider ambitious projects for the country’s energy future.
The participation of the Minister of Water Resources and Electricity in the World Bank’s annual meetings marks an important step in international cooperation in energy development. These discussions highlight the opportunities offered by the energy sector in the DRC and promote the investments needed to take full advantage of the country’s solar and hydraulic potential.
In parallel, the World Bank and the African Development Bank have launched the “Mission 300” project, aimed at ensuring access to electricity for 300 million people in Africa by 2030. This project demonstrates the commitment of international institutions to support the energy development of the African continent and to provide its inhabitants with the necessary conditions to prosper.
In conclusion, the Democratic Republic of Congo has major assets in terms of energy resources, particularly solar and hydraulic. It is imperative to develop these natural resources to ensure a sustainable and prosperous energy future for the country and its inhabitants.The development of infrastructure, the involvement of the private sector and massive investments are all levers to be used to fully exploit this exceptional potential and contribute to the emergence of a stronger and more resilient Congo on the international energy scene.