In the Democratic Republic of Congo, increasing access to clean energy could threaten the coal industry, which is significant in the country. Economist Al Kitenge made this point at a recent national energy forum organized by civil society.

Kitenge noted that the coal sector in the capital, alone, generates about $300 million a year, or $25 million a month. With over 20 million residents, many in Kinshasa rely on coal for cooking.

The demand for coal is high not just in Kinshasa but also in other provinces, particularly in the Eastern and Central Kongo regions. The DRC holds around 60% of the equatorial forest, which effectively captures greenhouse gases, making it an attractive option for green financing. The Congolese government estimates that $21.6 billion is needed to finance projects aimed at reducing climate risks.

Current projects include the Lake Kivu methane-to-electricity initiative and various off-grid mini-plants. However, Kitenge argues these projects are not enough to meet the growing energy demand in urban and semi-urban areas, forcing many to continue using charcoal.

Georges Auréole Bamba