The Democratic Republic of Congo's national electricity company, SNEL SA, is moving forward with a $46.4 million project to modernize the power grid in northern Kinshasa. The project, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, will take 16 months to finish.

SNEL SA's Deputy General Director, Bienvenue Munyango, confirmed the details during a site visit on August 16, 2025. The work, contracted to China's CHINT Electric under an agreement signed on April 24, aims to rehabilitate the aging networks in the communes of Barumbu, Gombe, Kasa-Vubu, Kinshasa, and Lingwala.

During the visit, CHINT Electric announced the import of more than 300 containers of equipment, including power transformers of up to 130 MVA, medium and low voltage cells, high-capacity cables, and 25,000 smart prepayment meters. These meters will allow customers to transition to billing based on actual consumption, a key step in SNEL's digitization of services and revenue management.

The project also includes the installation of a 100/130 MVA 220/20 kV transformer at the Utexco high-voltage station, the laying of 67 km of new 30 kV links between substations, a full modernization of the Sendwe, Ndolo, and VDP stations, and the rehabilitation of 204 existing electrical cabins.

This project is a component of the PEGASE project, which secured a $135 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2017. Its implementation has faced delays, however, due to slow procurement procedures, according to a January 2024 evaluation report.

According to SNEL General Director Fabrice Lusinde, the company will gradually extend modernization efforts to all of Kinshasa. In support of this broader goal, SNEL has secured a $27 million non-reimbursable grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The agreement, signed on May 4, 2025, between Minister of Foreign Affairs Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Japan's Ambassador Ogawa Hidetoshi, will specifically support the rehabilitation of networks in the communes of Limete, Lemba, Matete, Ngaba, and Kisenso.

Timothée Manoke (Intern)

Le 22 août 2025, le ministre des Finances, Doudou Fwamba Likunde (photo), a obtenu du Conseil des ministres l’autorisation officielle de préparer la première émission d’euro-obligations de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC). D’un montant de 1,5 milliard de dollars, cet emprunt devrait être lancé avant le 30 juin 2026. Selon un communiqué officiel publié sur LinkedIn, les fonds mobilisés seront destinés « au financement des infrastructures prioritaires et à l’amélioration de la connectivité nationale, conformément au Programme d’actions du gouvernement 2024-2028 ».

Cette initiative intervient alors que la RDC affiche une relative stabilité macroéconomique, avec une inflation projetée à 7,8 % en 2025, une dépréciation du franc congolais contenue à 1,1 % depuis décembre 2024, et une croissance économique estimée à 5,3 % en 2025. Le pays bénéficie de notations souveraines spéculatives (B- par S&P et B3 par Moody’s), toutes deux assorties de perspectives stables. La dette publique demeure relativement faible, autour de 22,5 % du PIB, offrant ainsi une marge d’endettement.

Le calendrier précis de l’opération n’a pas encore été dévoilé et il n’est pas certain que l’émission se tienne en 2025. Ce recours aux marchés internationaux n’apparaît ni dans la loi de finances 2025, ni dans sa loi rectificative adoptée en juin, ni même dans le dernier rapport du FMI relatif au programme de Facilité élargie de crédit (FEC) en cours.

Reste également à savoir quels groupes financiers seront mandatés pour arranger l’opération. Citi, qui occupe depuis le début de 2025 la première place dans le classement Reuters des arrangeurs de dette en Afrique subsaharienne et dispose d’une filiale en RDC, apparaît comme un candidat naturel, d’autant plus dans un contexte de coopération renforcée entre Washington et Kinshasa pour le retour de la paix à l’est du pays. Standard Bank, acteur sud-africain classé dans le top 10 régional et également implanté en RDC, pourrait aussi être retenue.

Le taux auquel Kinshasa empruntera constitue une autre inconnue majeure. Les investisseurs s’appuieront sans doute sur la comparaison avec certaines entreprises opérant dans le pays. En janvier 2025, Ivanhoe Mines a ainsi levé 750 millions de dollars remboursables sur cinq ans, au taux annuel de 7,87 %. Si un prêt souverain bénéficie généralement de conditions plus favorables, la prime de risque exigée à la RDC pourrait se rapprocher de ce niveau, compte tenu des incertitudes sécuritaires et budgétaires.

Un succès renforcerait la crédibilité financière de la RDC et élargirait son accès aux marchés internationaux, au-delà de l’appui traditionnel du FMI et de la Banque mondiale. À l’inverse, une émission trop coûteuse risquerait de peser durablement sur le budget et de fragiliser la trajectoire macroéconomique, déjà mise sous pression par les tensions sécuritaires et sociales.

Idriss Linge

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« Les autorités congolaises avancent dans la bonne direction » : entretien exclusif avec René Tapsoba (FMI)

• Bridge closed due to advanced deterioration

• Emergency rehabilitation announced; a new reinforced concrete bridge will replace the old structure.

• Local communities fear produce shortages and losses for traders and transporters.

Due to the advanced deterioration of the Lovoy bridge, located between Lueji and Lunge on national road n°1, traffic between Lubumbashi and Kamina has been halted for several days. Consequently, the local civil society worries over possible shortages of produce in Kamina’s markets.

Official sources report that the bridge, originally designed for small loads, has faced years of heavy traffic from trucks, causing progressive subsidence and making it dangerous or impassable.

In response, Haut-Lomami provincial infrastructure minister Venance Mutombo ordered the immediate suspension of traffic and announced rehabilitation work. The project involves the construction of a new reinforced concrete bridge to replace the current metal structure. No precise timetable has been given for the work.

Meanwhile, trucks remain blocked on both sides of the bridge, located about 20 kilometers from Kamina. Goods are at risk of deterioration and losses for traders and transporters, and drivers and travelers are forced to spend nights outdoors due to the absence of nearby accommodation facilities.

Boaz Kabeya

• Project will be developed in Kolwezi

• It includes five bridges, 3.5 km of roads and 240 solar-powered street lamps.

• Forrest Group will handle construction and lighting works

The province of Lualaba is set to begin construction of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first double road interchange in Kolwezi, the provincial capital and main mining hub. Work is scheduled to start in 2025.

Two subsidiaries of the Forrest Group will carry out the project: Malta Forrest, responsible for design and construction, and Congo Energy, handling solar-powered street lighting.

The interchange will be located at the Mwangeji traffic circle, where avenues Lumumba, LDK, Mandradele and RN39 intersect — a key junction in the city. The project is aimed at easing traffic congestion in Kolwezi, one of Congo’s fastest-growing cities. It includes the construction of five bridges, several slip roads, nearly 3.5 kilometers of roads, and the installation of 240 solar street lamps along ramps, bridges and access roads.

The cost has not yet been disclosed, and few details are available on the exact terms of collaboration between Lualaba and the Forrest Group. The company previously built Kolwezi’s first interchange, inaugurated in June 2025 near the airport by President Félix Tshisekedi. The governor of Lualaba has indicated that such infrastructure is part of the province’s 2024–2028 priority investment program under its “transport infrastructure” component.

Founded in 1922, the Forrest Group is a Belgian-origin industrial conglomerate historically established in the DRC. It remains one of the main private, family-owned players in the country and plays a central role in transport infrastructure and mining services — two critical sectors for Congo’s economy.

Ronsard Luabeya

• Matadi and Muanda set to house the new buildings

• Chinese company CCECC inspects sites as part of project preparations.

• Provinces across the DRC are allocating land to host fairs, exhibitions, and economic events.

As part of efforts to revive trade fairs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), new modern infrastructures are planned in Matadi and Muanda, in Kongo Central province.

On August 19, 2025, a delegation from the Chinese company Chongqing Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation (CCECC) visited the sites. The mission, led by the provincial Minister of Tourism and representatives of the Foire Internationale du Congo-Kinshasa (FICKIN), was welcomed by Vice-Governor Prospère Ntela Ntambidila.

According to the governorate's communication unit, discussions focused on project presentations, feasibility studies, and the monitoring of administrative and land procedures. The director of the provincial fair, Hypollite Mukunde, said the vice-governor had provided recommendations to accelerate the process, aiming to boost the tourist and commercial appeal of Kongo Central.

This initiative aligns with the strategy of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, which asked provinces to set aside land for fairground infrastructures. Kongo Central has allocated 50 hectares, split between Matadi and Muanda.

Other provinces are also contributing: Maniema with 100 hectares, Lualaba with 50 hectares, while Tshopo is still finalizing its allocation. These areas will host fairs, exhibitions, and other economic events to showcase local and regional potential.

Ronsard Luabeya

• The Strategic Investment Fund (FIS-RDC) is the name of the new entity

• It covers primarily infrastructure, energy, agriculture, technology, among others

• Two other state financial institutions are also in the works

The Congolese government has approved the creation of the Strategic Investment Fund of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FIS-RDC). The draft decree, presented by Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba at the Council of Ministers on August 15, 2025, marks a major step toward setting up a long-discussed sovereign wealth fund.

Several steps still lie ahead — the appointment of directors, operational arrangements and the official launch — and no timeline has yet been announced. But the government has outlined its ambitions clearly.

According to the Council minutes, the FIS-RDC will be tasked with mobilizing and structuring financing to speed up the national development strategy. Its mission also includes boosting territorial inclusion, diversifying the economy and reinforcing national sovereignty.

To do so, the fund will turn to modern financing tools that go beyond traditional loans and grants. It will be allowed to invest in strategic areas ranging from infrastructure, energy and technology to agriculture, real estate and industry. The FIS-RDC will also be charged with managing state assets and forging partnerships with private and institutional investors, both domestic and foreign. All operations, the government stressed, must follow strict transparency, environmental and social standards.

This new fund is part of a wider effort to reshape Congo’s financial architecture. In July, the government also unveiled plans for a Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) and a Banque de Développement, a future CDC subsidiary with $150 million in capital. The bank is expected to channel long-term financing into priority projects, reducing dependence on external borrowing and strengthening the country’s financial resilience.

Boaz Kabeya

• Fuel supply to CAR discussed between Congolese and Central African ministers.

• Electoral operations expected to increase consumption, while current stock levels are deemed insufficient.

• Kinshasa requested to support logistics, especially river transport via SEP Congo.

The Central African Minister for Energy Development and Hydraulic Resources, Arthur Bertrand Piri, visited Kinshasa on August 19, 2025, to meet his Congolese counterpart, Acacias Bandubula. Discussions focused on the supply of petroleum products to the Central African Republic (CAR).

Minister Piri highlighted that several upcoming elections would drive an increase in fuel consumption. In addition to regular needs, electoral operations—including deployment of equipment, logistics, and security—would add to demand. Current stock levels were described as “insignificant” by Central African authorities.

"Usually, from June onwards, the barges start to go up. But this year, real rains only started at the end of July. So it wasn't until the beginning of August that we began the upturns, timidly. This put us two months behind schedule, which affected the national stock," explained Minister Piri.

About 80% of CAR’s official fuel consumption passes through the DRC and is transported by river, a route roughly half the cost of road transport. However, this corridor is available only from July to December each year.

To address this logistical gap, Bangui requested support from Kinshasa, particularly for operational coordination. SEP Congo (Services des entreprises pétrolières congolaises) manages unloading tankers at the port of Ango-Ango in Matadi, transfers fuel by pipeline to Kinshasa, and transports it by river to CAR.

On the same day, the Congolese Minister of Hydrocarbons met with the professional committee of petroleum product importers to examine the situation. He issued instructions to facilitate the transit of petroleum products destined for CAR.

Ronsard Luabeya

• Project first announced in August 2024

• Project includes terminal building, control tower, new 2,200-metre runway, and technical facilities.

• Flights will be temporarily redirected to Tshiumbe airfield during construction.

After more than a year of anticipation, modernization work at Lodja airport in Sankuru province is finally set to begin. The announcement was made on August 14, 2024, by Eddy Shungu, Provincial Director of the Congolese Agency for Major Works (ACGT), during the reception of the first shipment of equipment for the site.

The initial delivery included drums of fuel, bags of cement, and a loader shovel, with other equipment for the development of Lumumba-ville also received. A second batch is already stored in Bena Dibele and Kinshasa, ready for future rotations, while the remainder will arrive progressively as the project advances.

The modernization project, officially launched in December 2023, is being carried out by the Congolese company Adi Construct under the Sino-Congolese cooperation program. Its duration is estimated at two years, though investment figures have not been disclosed.

Plans include a new terminal building, control tower, and a runway extended from 1,600 to 2,200 metres and widened to 30 metres, paved with hydraulic concrete. Access ramps and a technical block will also be constructed, allowing the airport to accommodate wide-body aircraft, including Airbus A320s. During construction, flights will be rerouted to Tshiumbe, the third-largest town in the province.

Supervision will be provided by the ACGT, in collaboration with the Agence de pilotage, de coordination et de suivi des conventions entre la RDC et ses partenaires privés.

This modernization aims to open up Sankuru province, improving trade and mobility between Lodja and major cities such as Kinshasa, Mbuji-Mayi, Goma, Bukavu, and Kisangani.

Ronsard Luabeya

• Net Profits in H1 stands at 9.1 billion KES (71.4 million USD).

• The Congolese subsidiary now the second-largest contributor to Equity Group earnings.

• Loan portfolio rises 13% to 275.4 billion KES (2.16 billion USD); shareholder equity grows 28% to 82.6 billion KES (648 million USD).

Equity BCDC, the Congolese subsidiary of Kenya-based Equity Group Holdings, recorded a net profit of 9.1 billion Kenyan shillings (71.4 million USD) in the first half of 2025, a 22% increase over the same period in 2024.

The figures highlight the strength of Equity BCDC, now the second-largest contributor to Group earnings after Equity Bank Kenya, accounting for 26.3% of total profits (34.6 billion KES). The Kenyan subsidiary remains the largest contributor at 56.4%, while other regional units and the insurance arm showed mixed results.

Equity BCDC continues to expand its lending operations, with a portfolio rising 13% to 275.4 billion KES (2.16 billion USD), making it the largest regional subsidiary in loan volume, representing 33.4% of the Group’s total.

The Congolese subsidiary is also strengthening its financial stability. Shareholders’ equity increased 28% to 82.6 billion KES (648 million USD), reinforcing confidence despite occasional internal social tensions in the DRC.

Timothée Manoke (intern)

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Après la signature de leur contrat en avril dernier avec la République démocratique du Congo (RDC), le consortium Jintai Mining PTE Ltd et Tembo Majengo Company SARL a lancé les travaux préparatoires du futur port industriel de Kalemie. Sur un site de 40 hectares situé dans le village de Mutowa, à une trentaine de kilomètres de Kalemie, les équipes ont entamé l’installation d’une base-vie destinée à loger le personnel et à accueillir les équipements techniques nécessaires au chantier.

Le 15 août 2025, le gouverneur du Tanganyika, Christian Kitungwa, a accompagné une délégation du ministère national des Transports pour une inspection du site. Il a assuré que toutes les dispositions ont été prises pour garantir la bonne exécution des travaux, avec un suivi quotidien jusqu’à la livraison de l’infrastructure.

Selon le gouverneur, ce projet s’inscrit dans la stratégie de développement provincial fondée sur une approche multimodale, adaptée aux besoins de la province. La cellule de communication du gouvernorat précise que le projet inclut également la construction de terminaux pétroliers, de centres commerciaux et d’autres équipements connexes.

La première phase des travaux, dont la livraison est prévue pour fin 2026, représente un investissement de 70 millions de dollars américains. Une fois la seconde phase terminée, le nouveau port devrait être en mesure de traiter jusqu’à 2 millions de tonnes de marchandises par an. L’objectif est de renforcer l’économie du Tanganyika et de faciliter les échanges commerciaux entre la RDC et la Tanzanie à travers le corridor central.

Actuellement, le port de Kalemie, installé sur le lac Tanganyika, assure les liaisons entre la RDC et les ports de Bujumbura (Burundi), Mpulungu (Zambie) et Kigoma (Tanzanie), participant à l’approvisionnement de l’est du pays. D’après les données du service maritime de Kalemie consultées par RFI en 2021, les volumes d’importation atteignaient près de 60 000 tonnes par an, contre seulement 2 400 tonnes pour les exportations de coltan.

Ronsard Luabeya

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Ville nouvelle de Kalemie : l’égyptien Mahmoud Samih manifeste son intérêt pour le projet

Modernisation du port de Kalemie : un nouveau partenariat public-privé signé