News (383)
Microlink Networks eyes key role in public digitization, data center development
Highlights:
- S.-based Microlink Networks in Kinshasa for an exploratory mission
- The company proposes to digitize public services and build data centers
- Political support acknowledged, but no formal agreement signed yet
On July 17, 2025, Augustin Kibassa Maliba, the DRC’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Sector, welcomed a delegation from American tech company Microlink Networks in Kinshasa. The visit marks a potential turning point in the country's ambition to digitize public services and modernize its digital infrastructure.
Microlink, a U.S.-based firm known for its data center and structured cabling solutions, expressed its strong interest in becoming a strategic technology partner to the Congolese state. “We want to be a partner of choice for digitization projects in the DRC,” said Yaseen Khalid, CEO of the company. He highlighted their intention to contribute to data center construction and hosting of government information systems—both critical to the country’s digital transformation goals.
Microlink’s marketing director, Ruslan Khamidullin, commended the Minister’s openness and noted that political support has been promised to help advance discussions. Still, the talks remain exploratory, with no formal agreement signed at this stage.
The firm specializes in IT infrastructure deployment, including secure communications, IP surveillance, and turnkey digital solutions for public and private institutions. Its entry into the DRC would align with Kinshasa’s broader push to improve digital governance and public service delivery through international partnerships.
This article was initially published in French by Boaz Kabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Industrial Promotion Fund (FPI) established a two-year partnership on July 11, 2025. This collaboration aims to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC. According to the memorandum of understanding between the two parties, the cooperation framework focused on three priority areas: financial inclusion, strengthening technical capacities, and supporting local entrepreneurship, particularly in agriculture.
The initiative includes direct support for small-scale farmers and artisans, primarily in rural and peri-urban areas. The agreement emphasizes improving access to financing for vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and those in precarious situations, whose projects aim to build agricultural value chains.
Additionally, the partnership involves capacity building for financial service providers. These providers are expected to better support local economic activities and establish themselves in areas underserved by microfinance institutions or savings and credit cooperatives. Support is also planned to strengthen the internal management of incubators and improve the managerial and organizational skills of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
The amounts to be committed under this partnership were not disclosed. The agreement also does not specify the selection criteria for beneficiaries or the geographic distribution of planned interventions.
This partnership aligns with both institutions' previous commitments. In 2023, the Industrial Promotion Fund financed over 80 projects across the country, totaling $115.6 million, with several focused on agro-industry. For its part, since 2019, the UNDP launched the ACTIF program (Action, Change, and Transformation through Financial Inclusion), which focused on access to financial services and supporting agricultural value chains. This new partnership thus builds on areas already tested by both organizations.
Boaz Kabeya (Intern)
Highlights:
• The FAO will help the DRC develop cassava into an industrial sector, especially for flour production.
• The partnership follows a high-level intercontinental forum co-hosted by Vietnam and the FAO in July 2025.
• Congolese authorities are urged to show clear budgetary and political commitment to integrate cassava into national economic planning.
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will help the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) industrialize cassava production to help boost employment and reduce hunger and poverty in the country. The announcement was made by the DRC’s Minister of Agriculture, Grégoire Mutshail Mutomb, according to Agence congolaise de presse (ACP).
The decision comes on the heels of the first edition of the High-Level Inter-regional Knowledge Exchange on One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Models forum, co-organized by the FAO and the government of Vietnam from July 15 to 17, 2025, in Hanoi. Ministers of agriculture from 17 African and Asian countries attended the event, including the DRC.
According to Minister Mutshail, the FAO's support will focus primarily on developing cassava processing into bread flour, which can be blended with wheat flour to make bread. The specific terms of the cooperation have not yet been finalized. “We will have more meetings in the coming months. If all goes well, the next meeting could be held right here in the DRC,” the Congolese official noted.
The initiative adds momentum to existing efforts to industrialize the cassava sector and generate greater local value. In April 2023, the Congolese government adopted a plan to substitute 20% of wheat flour with cassava flour in bread-making, and to use 100% cassava flour in pastries, waffles, and pizzas. The move aimed to reduce the country’s wheat import bill—valued at $87 million per year—and rely less on imports from Russia and Ukraine.
However, progress remains uneven. A World Bank report published in September 2023 pointed to significant structural challenges that continue to weigh down the cassava value chain. These include excessive bureaucracy, high taxation, limited access to credit and land, and poor infrastructure, particularly in electricity and transportation.
In light of these challenges, Minister Mutshail emphasized the need for a strong budgetary commitment and political will from national authorities.
This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Highlights:
• 60 MW solar project underway; target expansion to 120 MW with no timeline yet
• Two PPAs signed with CrossBoundary (Kenya) and Green World (China), each for 30 MW
• Kamoa-Kakula mine to rely solely on green energy by 2026; demand projected at 240 MW
Kamoa Copper plans to gradually scale up solar power capacity at its Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aiming for an installed capacity of 120 MW. Ivanhoe Mines, a key shareholder and the operator of the site, disclosed the information in a press release issued July 8, 2025. No specific timeline for the expansion was provided.
Currently, a 60 MW solar power plant with battery storage is under construction at the site near Kolwezi, Lualaba province. This infrastructure stems from two power purchase agreements signed in late March and early April 2025. Each agreement covers 30 MW and involves CrossBoundary Energy DRC, based in Nairobi, and Green World Energie SARL, headquartered in Beijing. Both companies are responsible for financing, building, and operating their respective units.
CrossBoundary confirmed its contract will run for 17 years, while Green World has not disclosed the terms of its agreement.
Initial site work began in Q2 2025, including geotechnical assessments, land clearing, and procurement of long-lead equipment, such as the battery energy storage system (BESS), a modular electrical station (E-house), and structural assemblies. Commissioning is slated for mid-2026.
By that time, electricity demand at Kamoa-Kakula is expected to reach 240 MW. The operator aims to meet this requirement entirely through renewable sources, including an increased supply of hydroelectricity from the national grid. This will be enabled by the ongoing rehabilitation of turbine 5 at the Inga II dam, which is expected to deliver 178 MW once grid reinforcement is complete in 2026.
With the new capacity, Kamoa-Kakula could stop relying on electricity from Zambia and Mozambique. In April, Ivanhoe reported an increase in hydro imports from 50 MW to 70 MW, with a potential ramp-up to 100 MW.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Highlights:
• DRC signs strategic deals with KoBold Metals and Solafune to modernize geological data systems
• KoBold to digitize archives and launch exploration campaign over 1,600 km² by the end of July
• Solafune to support AI-based mapping and expert training under new MoU
The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed two preliminary agreements with U.S.-based KoBold Metals and Japan's Solafune Inc. to modernize access to geological data and bolster mineral exploration using artificial intelligence and satellite technology.
KoBold, backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, will digitize Congo’s geological archives held at the Royal Museum of Central Africa by July 31, 2025. The company also plans to launch large-scale mineral exploration, submitting permit applications covering 1,600 km² by the same date. Under the agreement, all data generated will be made publicly accessible through the National Geological Service of Congo (SGN-C), which will also act as the official platform for data validation and archiving.
Solafune, meanwhile, signed a memorandum of understanding to provide AI-driven support for geological mapping and train Congolese experts. The goal is to increase transparency and improve governance of mineral resources through better subsurface knowledge.
Congolese authorities describe the KoBold deal as a "strategic partnership" aimed at attracting U.S. investment. In 2024, the DRC led African mining exploration with $130.7 million in investment—10% of the continent’s total—according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya, intern
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
The Financial Inclusion Fund (FPM SA) has signed a loan agreement with CRDB Bank Congo SA, the Congolese branch of Tanzania’s CRDB Bank. The official ceremony took place in Lubumbashi, attended by Patrick Nkongo, FPM’s CEO, and Jessica Nyachiro, Managing Director of CRDB Bank Congo.
While the amount of the loan was not disclosed, FPM confirmed that it is a senior debt facility. This type of loan gives repayment priority in the event of borrower default, bankruptcy, or liquidation, and is usually backed by the borrower’s assets, minimizing credit risk for the lender.
With this funding, CRDB Bank Congo plans to grow its loan portfolio, focusing on key sectors such as agriculture, support for women entrepreneurs, and youth-led businesses. Leaders from both institutions said the deal aims to promote the growth of small and medium enterprises and foster inclusive economic development in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The agreement is part of FPM’s broader strategy to enhance the quality of its financing portfolio by working with institutions committed to high-impact sectors. According to its 2024 Pillar III report, FPM has deepened partnerships with local banks and shifted its focus toward refinancing tools, portfolio guarantees, and credit lines backed by development partners such as the World Bank and German cooperation agency KfW.
Earlier this year, FPM signed a similar deal with Rawbank in April and recently secured a new funding line from Dutch development bank FMO.
The loan comes as CRDB Bank Congo works to strengthen its operations in the DRC. Despite posting a $2.5 million loss in 2024 due to expansion costs, the bank has seen strong improvements: deposits have increased tenfold, total assets now exceed $70 million, and net interest margins have improved, driven partly by investments in Congolese government bonds.
CRDB has been operating in the DRC since May 2023 and continues to invest in the country’s growth potential. The new partnership with FPM will boost its ability to fund high-impact sectors and expand access to finance across underserved groups.
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).
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the AFC/M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, signed a declaration of principle on July 19 in Doha, Qatar. The agreement seeks to pave the way toward a lasting peace deal.
After three months of talks involving the DRC, Rwanda, and M23 under Qatar’s mediation, the declaration commits both sides to respect a permanent ceasefire. It also requires them to avoid any actions that could disrupt the ceasefire process.
The declaration sets a clear timeline: both parties must implement the ceasefire provisions by July 29, open direct negotiations by August 8, and finalize a peace agreement by August 18.
Patrick Muyaya, Congolese government spokesman, said, “This declaration takes account of the red lines we have always defended, particularly the non-negotiable withdrawal of AFC/M23 from the occupied zones, followed by redeployment of our institutions — FARDC, PNC, justice, administration. It contains clear commitments favoring peace, civilian protection, and national sovereignty. It paves the way for a comprehensive peace agreement in the coming days to end the conflict in eastern DRC.”
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairman of the African Union Commission, welcomed the development. He called it a significant step forward and a major milestone in efforts to establish lasting peace, security, and stability in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.
The M23 rebels seized large parts of mineral-rich eastern DRC in a swift offensive earlier this year. The group insisted on negotiating its own ceasefire with Kinshasa after Rwanda, its ally, signed a separate peace deal with the DRC in Washington last month.
The eastern DRC region has suffered armed conflict for over three decades. Despite multiple ceasefires and peace agreements, fighting has frequently resumed.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
Asphalting work on the Kasindi-Beni (80 km) and Beni-Butembo (54 km) road sections in North Kivu province will start in the first quarter of 2026. Steven Nyembo, site supervisor for Dott Services Ltd, the contracted company, made the announcement.
These construction efforts are part of a larger cross-border road project officially launched in June 2021 by the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The project aims to improve connectivity between the two countries, boost trade, and support peacebuilding efforts in eastern DRC. It also includes modernizing the Bunagana-Rutshuru-Goma road (89 km), bringing the total length of targeted routes to 223 km. The overall estimated cost is $551.6 million.
Dott Services Ltd is committed to financing 60% of the project, while the Congolese and Ugandan governments will each contribute 20%. The investment will be repaid through a toll system, offering reduced rates due to state contributions. The concession is set for a minimum of 15 years, with construction initially planned for three years, according to Congolese Infrastructure Minister Alexis Gisaro.
The project has faced numerous delays. Insecurity caused by M23 rebels slowed progress on the Bunagana-Rutshuru-Goma section. Work on the Kasindi-Beni-Butembo road was suspended for over a year due to non-compliance with contract clauses, particularly those related to the exemption of equipment imported from Uganda.
To overcome these obstacles, the DRC and Uganda signed an amendment to the initial agreement on October 16, 2024, which provided for tax exemptions on necessary equipment.
The project relaunched after a March 2025 visit by Uganda’s Minister of Public Works, General Edward Katumba Wamala. During his visit, authorities from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to completing the project.
Strategic Importance
The first phase of work, involving laterite on the Kasindi-Beni section, is 80% complete, according to Papy Minga, provincial director of the Roads Office in North Kivu. Preparations for asphalting are underway, with a stone crusher being installed, an asphalt plant expected, and stone quarries opened in Kilya (Ruwenzori sector) and Rugetsi.
This road is strategically important for several reasons. From a security perspective, it facilitates joint SHUJAA military operations conducted by the FARDC and the UPDF against ADF rebels. Economically, it serves as a key export route for agricultural products like coffee and cocoa to Uganda via the Kasindi border post. It also allows the import of consumer goods, including fuel, to Beni, Butembo, and surrounding areas.
As part of the relaunch, Major General Somo Kakule Evariste, the military governor of North Kivu, decided to reallocate toll revenues from these routes. Funds previously collected by road maintenance companies will now finance the rehabilitation of urban roads in Beni and Butembo, which had faced long delays due to budgetary constraints. Local sources indicate toll fees range from $2 to $20 depending on vehicle category.
Local populations eagerly await this infrastructure modernization. They see it as an opportunity to improve mobility, security, and economic development in this part of the Grand Nord.
Timothée Manoke (Intern)
The Democratic Republic of Congo is considering a partnership with commercial banks to help finance end-of-career benefits for civil servants eligible for retirement. Jean-Pierre Lihau, Minister of Public Service, Administrative Modernization, and Public Service Innovation, outlined this initiative in an information note presented during the Council of Ministers meeting on July 11, 2025.
The retirement process, which restarted in 2022 with an initial wave of 11,000 retirements, has since stalled. As a result, the number of eligible retirees has grown, now exceeding 314,000 across all pension schemes.
In response, Lihau submitted a ten-year retirement plan, from 2025 to 2035, to the Council. The proposed partnership with commercial banks is an "innovative" mechanism designed to streamline the process. The effective relaunch began with the signing of retirement orders for secretaries-general, directors, and division heads, whose payments and benefits are currently being processed.
Debt-Free Financial Structure
According to the Council’s report, this arrangement would allow banks to advance benefits to retirees. The state would then commit to repaying the banks in monthly installments equivalent to the retirees' former salaries. This mechanism leverages the existing payroll banking system and is designed to avoid any new debt issuance, making it "budget-neutral," as stated in the report.
The scheme is expected to be operational by 2026, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the state and the participating banks. This agreement will define the practical terms of the partnership.
An inter-institutional technical commission will oversee the implementation. This commission will include representatives from the Presidency, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministries of Public Service, Budget, and Finance, and the National Social Security Fund for Public Servants (CNSSAP). This body will ensure the regularity, sustainability, and automaticity of the retirement process, while balancing the number of retirements with CNSSAP’s capacity for regular pension payments.
Security Spending Constraints
In the 2025 finance law, the state pledged to allocate 20 billion Congolese francs per month, about $7 million, to fund retirements. However, according to Jean-Pierre Lihau, this commitment has not yet been met due to increased pressure on public finances from rising security expenditures. For example, between January and April, over half of the budget allocated for exceptional security spending had already been used.
The total cost of the ten-year plan, 2025 to 2035, has not yet been disclosed. However, the initial draft of the 2025 finance law included a budget line of 379.4 billion Congolese francs, about $128.4 million, for retirement benefits.
This retirement plan comes as the administration faces an overload, a consequence of a massive recruitment wave between 2017 and 2018. During that period, nearly one million employee ID numbers were issued without prior budgetary planning. This situation continues to strain public finances and human resource management. As part of a streamlining strategy, the minister plans to replace only one in two retiring civil servants.
Timothée Manoke (Intern)
More...
Highlights:
• Loncor Gold has received a non-binding, unsolicited proposal from a third-party investor.
• A special committee has been appointed to evaluate the offer.
• The offer comes as gold prices surge, boosting investor interest in the Adumbi project.
Canadian mining firm Loncor Gold announced it has received a non-binding and unsolicited offer from an undisclosed third-party investor regarding a potential transaction. While the nature of the deal—be it an acquisition, merger, or equity stake—remains unclear, a special committee of directors has been formed to assess the proposal.
This development coincides with ongoing exploration work at the Adumbi gold deposit, Loncor’s flagship asset located in the Ngayu greenstone belt in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company controls 84.68% of the project, with 10% held by the Congolese state through its mining company Sokimo.
According to a 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), the site could yield approximately 303,000 ounces of gold over 10.3 years, requiring a $392 million initial investment. Loncor indicated that further updates may be released “should circumstances warrant.”
The announcement comes amid a 30% year-to-date rise in global gold prices. The metal trades above $3,000 per ounce, per World Gold Council data. The bullish market environment could help Loncor attract a strong operational partner for Adumbi.
This article was initially published in French by PM (Agence Ecofin).
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Highlights:
• Price of a 50kg cement bag drops from 60,000 FC to 31,000–33,000 FC
• Supply disruptions caused by May–June truckers' strike now resolved
• Prices may fall further if logistics normalize
Cement prices in Kinshasa have dropped sharply in recent days, returning to near pre-crisis levels following the end of a major truckers' strike that had disrupted supply lines across the Congolese capital.
From highs of up to 60,000 Congolese Francs (CF) (≈21 USD) during the strike, a 50kg bag of cement is now selling between CF31,000 and CF33,000 (≈11 USD), down 52.4%. In some areas like Kingabwa (Limete district), prices remain slightly higher, at up to CF35,000, but further reductions are expected if supply continues uninterrupted. A bag could sell for $10 according to some predictions.
The spike in prices was triggered by a logistics paralysis due to a truckers' strike that took place between late May and early June. The strike, sparked by a provincial government ban on daytime travel for trucks over 20 tons, caused a severe shortage in cement and drove prices to record levels.
Talks between national and provincial authorities, the Congolese business federation (FEC), and transport unions led to the suspension of the strike in June, allowing deliveries to resume and easing pressure on the market.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya, intern
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
• Dan Gertler’s testimony details secretive payments and complex asset structures that enabled private — and often foreign — interests to control the DRC’s critical mining resources.
• Gertler admits to providing cash loans directly to the Central Bank and state companies, revealing weak financial oversight during the Kabila era.
• Despite some recent reforms, transparency and governance problems persist, hindering the DRC’s ability to maximize benefits from its vast copper and cobalt reserves.
Israeli businessman Dan Gertler’s testimony has exposed mismanagement in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining sector under President Joseph Kabila from 2001 to 2019. His statements are part of an April 2024 arbitration ruling in Israel, tied to a dispute with former partners Moises and Mendi Gertner. Bloomberg reported the contents on July 14, 2025, citing the NGO PPLAAF as the source.
Though Gertler denies any wrongdoing, he has faced U.S. sanctions since 2017 for allegedly amassing wealth through shady mining and oil deals in the DRC. In his testimony, he admitted to paying large sums to Kabila's close ally, Augustin Katumba Mwanke, to obtain permits—bolstering long-standing corruption allegations.
Cash Loans to BCC
Gertler’s testimony also highlights the opaque structuring of interests in gold, iron, and copper mining permits involving himself and Augustin Katumba Mwanke. Several assets were deliberately placed in separate legal entities, in accordance with their arrangements. Gertler claims he held mining stakes worth several hundred million dollars on behalf of Katumba, while remaining unaware of other Congolese stakeholders involved. This layered structure complicated oversight and enabled both private and foreign actors to indirectly influence the control of strategic Congolese mineral resources.
In addition, Gertler acknowledged providing “cash loans” to the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) and the state-run diamond company MIBA. He defended this by citing the absence of a functioning banking system at the time. Nonetheless, these transactions expose a troubling lack of oversight in financial flows within the DRC’s extractive industry.
The arbitration ruling, spanning over 1,200 pages and grounded in more than 10,000 pages of testimony and exhibits, did not aim to assess the legality of the transactions. The arbitrator found no compelling proof of corruption or illicit payments. Still, the disclosures echo long-standing criticisms of governance in the mining sector—use of front men, absence of transparency regarding beneficial owners, murky licensing processes, and informal, loosely regulated financial practices.
EITI Notes Progress
Corruption remains a serious concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s extractive industries. Major players like Glencore Plc have faced legal consequences, paying hundreds of millions of dollars in fines and settlements across multiple jurisdictions—including the U.S., U.K., Switzerland, and the DRC—for corrupt practices linked to mining asset acquisitions.
Dan Gertler’s involvement continues to attract scrutiny. Despite agreeing in 2022 to surrender some assets, recent tax proceedings confirm that he still benefits from royalty rights in three large-scale copper and cobalt projects. His ongoing presence highlights the persistence of opaque financial arrangements in the sector.
The DRC has made incremental progress. EITI’s 2024 report notes the country's commitment to beneficial ownership transparency, with public disclosures dating back to 2015—though data gaps remain. The 2018 mining code mandates the publication of contracts and permits, but implementation remains inconsistent. The IMF, in its January 2025 report, acknowledged advances in reform, while urging the DRC to strengthen enforcement and reduce loopholes—particularly the 25% threshold for beneficial ownership, which remains too permissive.
Economic Stakes
Further governance concerns arise from the government's recent decision to require oil exports to use officially approved charterers. While intended to improve control over export logistics, this raises new questions about the accountability and transparency of intermediaries.
The Democratic Republic of Congo relies heavily on its mining sector, making transparency vital for economic growth. In 2024, the country produced 3.3 million metric tonnes of copper—a 12.6% year-on-year increase—ranking it second globally. It remains the world’s top cobalt producer, with 170,000 tonnes extracted and reserves estimated at 6 million tonnes.
Mining accounts for roughly 6% of national GDP and provides 40% of government income. Stronger governance would help the DRC maximize revenues, attract responsible investors, improve wealth distribution, and meet international expectations for ethical supply chains of key minerals like copper and cobalt.
This article was initially published in French by Georges Auréole Bamba
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
• Virunga Energies increases power capacity to 42 MW with new turbine.
• The company serves over 35,000 customers across North Kivu.
• Rwanguba project plays key role in reducing energy shortages in Goma.
Virunga Energies has ramped up electricity production in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, despite ongoing insecurity in the region. The company, owned by Virunga National Park, has launched the first turbine of its Rwanguba hydroelectric plant, adding 13 megawatts (MW) to its grid.
This upgrade brings the company’s total output to 42 MW. Virunga Energies aims to hit 100 MW by 2040. Rwanguba now joins three other plants in the network: Mutwanga (1.4 MW), Matebe (13.1 MW), and Luviro (14.6 MW), each located in different parts of the province.
Virunga Energies has become North Kivu’s largest power producer and distributor. It currently supplies electricity to more than 35,000 customers, including 2,000 businesses.
According to the company’s 2023 annual report, the full Rwanguba project — combining turbines Rwanguba 1 and 2 — will generate up to 26 MW when completed. While the report did not specify the commissioning date for Rwanguba 1, it projected completion between late 2024 and early 2025.
A source inside the company confirmed that engineers accelerated the turbine launch to address severe power shortages in Goma. During the dry season, low water levels in the Rutshuru River disrupted operations at the Matebe plant, prompting the urgent activation of Rwanguba. The new turbine has helped stabilize electricity supply across the city.
In 2023, electricity sales brought in $10.7 million in revenue. Part of the power generated supports cryptocurrency mining, the report noted.
Virunga Energies has not disclosed the total cost of the Rwanguba 1 and 2 project. However, the European Union injected €20 million into the project in June 2016 to support its development.
The Rwanguba site suffered a major security incident on August 16, 2022. Heavy artillery, allegedly fired by M23 forces positioned less than 5 km away, hit the facility. Two shells struck the site, causing severe material damage. No workers were killed, thanks to a rapid evacuation. But civilian casualties were reported in surrounding villages.
In a recent move to strengthen regional cooperation, Virunga Energies struck a deal with Énergies du Nord-Kivu (ENK), which holds exclusive rights to distribute power in Beni and Butembo. Following talks with North Kivu’s military governor, General Evariste Kakule Somo, both companies agreed to pool their resources.
The agreement will allow Virunga Energies to use ENK’s infrastructure to distribute electricity in Beni and Butembo — two of North Kivu’s largest cities.
This article was initially published in French by Timothée Manoke, Intern
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum