The Democratic Republic of Congo’s state electricity utility, SNEL, has launched a call for expressions of interest to hire a firm to migrate its commercial management application to a web-based platform. The project aims to transform the tool currently used to manage low-voltage customers into an internet-accessible solution, as part of a broader modernization of the company’s commercial management system.

The initiative follows a call for expressions of interest signed on Jan. 26, 2026, by SNEL’s Director General, Teddy Lwamba Muba, and published on the website of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARMP). In the document, SNEL cites technical limitations of the existing application, known as GCOWEB-BT, as the main justification for the project.

According to the notice, the software must be installed individually on each workstation, with updates carried out computer by computer, a process described as time-consuming. The document also points to high memory and resource usage, which can affect performance during routine management operations and billing calculations. It further highlights accessibility constraints. The application reportedly works only on the workstation where it is installed, cannot be accessed from other devices such as tablets or smartphones, and shows inconsistent performance on operating systems other than Windows.

Against this backdrop, SNEL plans to migrate to a web-based application that would be accessible wherever an internet connection is available, while improving performance, ergonomics, and functionality. The document highlights an approach that would allow centralized deployment and maintenance, as well as easier integration with other systems.

A multi-million-dollar challenge

According to SNEL’s latest available detailed report for the 2022 fiscal year, reviewed in hard copy, low-voltage customers accounted for around 16.6% of revenue, or $124.8 million, out of total turnover of $752 million. The same report puts the number of low-voltage customers at nearly 797,600, representing about 99% of the customer base. These figures underscore the importance of management tools better suited to this portfolio.

At this stage, the notice does not disclose the cost of the project but states that the estimated duration of the assignment is eight calendar months. Most of the work will be carried out at SNEL’s headquarters in Kinshasa, with a planned rollout across all provinces served by the utility. Candidate firms must demonstrate proven experience, including at least five years of activity and a minimum of two similar assignments completed over the past three years.

In terms of expected outcomes, SNEL highlights gains in accessibility and performance. The impact analysis outlined in the 2022 report also points to potential improvements in operational reliability and traceability, while identifying risks related in particular to data migration, cybersecurity, and staff adoption of the new system.

Applications must be submitted to SNEL’s Procurement and Markets Department in Kinshasa/Gombe no later than March 3, 2026, at 2 p.m. local time, in accordance with the terms set out in the notice published by the ARMP.

Timothée Manoke