The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has granted $27 million in non-repayable financing to the SNEL, the power utility of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The related deal was sealed on May 9, 2025, by the Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, and the Japanese Ambassador to the DRC, Ogawa Hidetoshi.

This funding is meant to help boost access to electricity in the Mont-Amba district of Kinshasa. This district regroups the following municipalities: Limete, Lemba, Matete, Ngaba, and Kisenso. 

The project involves rehabilitating the 220-kV Liminga and Funa substations, modernizing the power transmission system, installing new high-voltage transformers, and building modern control rooms. These upgrades should help stabilize the power supply in this part of Kinshasa.

This initiative is part of ongoing bilateral cooperation between the DRC and Japan. JICA had initially allocated $18 million to the project in November 2023, but after feasibility studies, the amount was increased to $27 million to meet project requirements

BK (intern)