On July 18, the Council of Ministers approved a $173.3 million electrification project for the city of Kisangani. The plan aims to improve access to electricity by upgrading key infrastructure and expanding the local grid.

According to Teddy Lwamba, Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity, the project includes the rehabilitation of two turbines—G2 and G3—at the Tshopo 1 hydroelectric plant, each with a capacity of 6.5 MW. It also calls for the construction of a 5 MW solar power plant and the modernization and extension of the distribution network, including the installation of prepaid meters.

The financing strategy for the project has not yet been finalized. The Council’s report mentions several possible options, combining domestic resources with support from international donors. A consultation meeting is planned to coordinate approaches and confirm operational details.

In April 2025, a technical meeting in Kinshasa brought together government officials and experts, including representatives of Congo Énergie, the company overseeing the project, working in partnership with the national electricity utility SNEL. At that meeting, it was noted that a full overhaul of the Tshopo 1 plant—including the replacement of all three turbines—could raise the facility’s capacity to 20 MW.

An earlier field mission to Kisangani in July 2024, which included lawmakers and SNEL representatives, confirmed that preliminary work had already begun at the Tshopo 1 plant and in parts of the Lubunga commune. This initial phase was partly funded by the Special Fund for the Repair and Compensation of Victims of Ugandan Armed Activities (Frivao).