**Goma: When a power outage becomes a reflection of the daily challenges of residents**
On January 22, 2025, the city of Goma woke up in an electric silence, with concern and frustration palpable in the air. A sudden and prolonged power outage affecting part of the city, caused by a breakdown on the 70 kV high-voltage line connecting Bukavu to Goma, highlights not only the failures of an already fragile energy network, but also the realities of life that residents must face, in a context where insecurity and economic instability reign.
The National Electricity Company (SNEL), Regional Directorate of North Kivu, quickly communicated on this unforeseen situation “beyond its control”. While the unpredictability of outages in a system as complex as the electricity distribution system is understandable, it is ironic that this disruption occurs in a context where the electricity supply is already far from meeting the needs of the population. Goma, often plagued by regular outages, sees its ability to adapt, already undermined by the uncertainty of the territory’s security, further weakened.
For the Gomois, the power outage is not just an inconvenience; it is a burden. Testimonies collected, such as that of Mugaruka Alex from the Mapendo neighborhood, illustrate the daily frustrations exacerbated by this situation. This outage occurs at a time when the population is already dealing with challenges related to insecurity, exacerbated by the advance of the M23 in the region. For many, whose jobs depend on small commercial activities, such as restaurateurs and farmers, this lack of electricity can lead to considerable financial losses.
Electricity Delivery: A System in Crisis
The problem of power outages in Goma cannot be separated from a broader analysis of energy infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to World Bank data, less than 30% of the country’s population has access to electricity. In a geographically and politically unstable region, the challenges of maintaining the network and expanding infrastructure are permanent. SNEL, already facing criticism for its inability to meet the growing needs of the population, is forced to administer an already precarious situation.
To cope with this outage, residents are increasingly turning to energy alternatives. The use of generators and solar panels, although slightly increasing, requires an initial investment and operational costs that are not within everyone’s reach.. These solutions, in addition to being expensive, require a reliance on related resources such as fuel, the prices of which are constantly increasing on the black market, further increasing the economic pressure on households.
Survey on resilience in the face of instability
The repercussions of this power outage go beyond the simple question of a service not provided. Daily life in Goma, already marked by security uncertainties, is now severely tested by an energy crisis that reveals residual inequalities. Testimonies from women, such as that of Mangaza Sophie, owner of a small restaurant, highlight how this situation disproportionately affects small entrepreneurs, often the most vulnerable in the local economic fabric. Financial losses due to the deterioration of their food products in the absence of refrigeration can end their savings.
From a statistical point of view, considering that Goma is home to approximately 1.5 million inhabitants, the fact that this type of outage can affect hundreds of thousands of citizens in an instant demonstrates the urgency of a long-term strategic shift in the DRC’s energy policy. It would be advantageous for SNEL and the government to implement infrastructure projects_decidant in concert with local communities and international organizations, in order to establish a resilient and sustainable electricity network.
Energy supply is not only a technical issue, but a fundamental aspect of social and economic well-being in Goma. This type of outage can lead to an increasing spiral in an already worrying situation, leaving the most vulnerable at the mercy of these random events.
In short, the power outage in Goma on January 22, 2025 illustrates the urgency of a systemic change in the management of energy resources in the DRC. While apologizing, SNEL has a unique opportunity to engage with the community through constructive dialogue, seeking not only to resolve this outage, but also to work on long-term solutions that are vital to the future of the people of Goma and, by extension, the region. A call to action that will hopefully be heeded by those who hold the power to give this precious city the resilience it deserves.