The Congolese government began emergency repairs on Oct. 2, 2025, to secure Pylon P8 of the Inga-Kimwenza high-voltage power line in the Mont Ngafula district of southwestern Kinshasa. Officials said the work is crucial to protect the structure from soil erosion that threatens its stability and could cause a major blackout across much of the capital.

Pylon P8 is a steel tower supporting the 400-kilovolt transmission line linking the Inga hydroelectric complex on the Congo River to several substations in Kinshasa. According to SNEL’s Director of Power Transmission, Ngindu Mutshima Kola, the collapse of just three similar pylons could plunge nearly two-thirds of the city into darkness.

The danger comes mainly from soil erosion around the tower, worsened by heavy rains and illegal construction nearby, which have disrupted natural drainage and made the site unstable. Calling the situation urgent, Infrastructure and Public Works Minister John Banza convened the national power utility SNEL and the Roads Office to coordinate an immediate response.

The stabilization contract was awarded to the Chinese firm SCI. The first phase involves reinforcing the ground around the pylon by placing sandbags in ravines to slow erosion and secure the foundations before launching full restoration work.

Meanwhile, Kinshasa City Hall has been instructed to begin expropriation procedures to clear illegal dwellings near the site. The goal is to create a safety buffer in accordance with regulations requiring a 25-meter clearance on each side of the tower.

Boaz Kabeya