Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have taken a decisive step toward implementing one of Africa’s largest energy interconnection projects, with plans to export more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity generated in Angola to the Congolese market.
Progress on the negotiations was confirmed during a meeting held on Thursday, the 14th, at the Presidential Palace in Luanda, where the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, received the DRC’s Minister of Water Resources and Electricity, Teddy Lwamba Muba Sakombi.
The meeting marked the beginning of the execution phase of the regional project led by the Meridia Energy Consortium, formed by Somagec and Averi Finance.
According to information released after the meeting, Somagec will oversee engineering studies, technical feasibility assessments, transmission line routing, and environmental impact evaluations. Averi Finance will be responsible for the financial structuring and capital mobilization of the operation.
The project will be financed through a fully private project finance model, without the use of public funds or sovereign guarantees — an approach still considered uncommon in large-scale cross-border energy transmission projects across Africa.
The initiative includes the construction of two electricity transmission lines. The main line will connect Malanje, Saurimo, and Luau in Angola to the Congolese cities of Kolwezi and Fungurume, covering approximately 1,450 kilometers and crossing the border through Dilolo. The second line will link Soyo to Inga over a distance of 180 kilometers, connecting Angola to Africa’s largest hydroelectric complex.
Project promoters stated that the concession has already been granted by Congolese authorities and is awaiting final approval from Angolan authorities before construction can officially begin. The Soyo–Inga line is expected to start within the coming days, with completion projected within 18 months.
Meridia Energy also announced that it has already signed agreements with Angola’s National Electricity Transmission Network (RNT), ensuring the integration of the new infrastructure into the national grid and the expansion of electricity distribution capacity to the eastern regions of the country.
During the meeting, the Congolese minister emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership for the DRC, stating that Angolan electricity could benefit both businesses and local communities.
Despite the enormous hydroelectric potential of the Inga Dam — considered one of the continent’s largest energy reserves — Teddy Sakombi stressed the need for the DRC to diversify its electricity supply sources, identifying Angola as an essential partner in that effort.
The operation strengthens Angola’s position as a regional energy exporter and expands its influence in Africa’s energy market, while the DRC seeks to secure stable electricity capacity to meet the needs of a population estimated at more than 100 million people.
18/05/2026
