The Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa will resume talks on the Inga 3 hydroelectric project in April 2026. The Congolese Ministry of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity confirmed the development in a March 12 statement.
South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, will visit the DRC to advance the negotiations. He plans to renew and update bilateral energy agreements linked to Inga 3.
The renewed discussions signal fresh political momentum behind one of Africa’s largest power projects.
Power Export Agreement Under Review
The DRC and South Africa already have a political memorandum of understanding. It commits the DRC to export 2,500 megawatts of electricity. According to the World Bank’s Inga 3 documentation, both countries now aim to renegotiate the agreement. They may increase the export target to 5,000 megawatts.
If approved, the expansion would strengthen South Africa’s energy security. It would also boost the DRC’s role in regional electricity trade. The World Bank describes the Inga 3 hydroelectric project as transformational. It could reshape electricity trade across Africa.
Beyond domestic supply, the DRC could export power to multiple regional pools. These include the Southern African Power Pool, the Eastern Africa Power Pool and the Central African Power Pool. The project could generate significant export revenue. It could also stabilise electricity supply to Kinshasa and the industrial corridor near the Inga site.
Congolese authorities are preparing a new memorandum of understanding with the Agency for the Development and Promotion of the Grand Inga Project. The agreement will structure financing with World Bank support.
On February 2, 2026, the French Development Agency signed a separate memorandum with ADPI in Kinshasa. The agreement supports project preparation. The Inga 3 hydroelectric project remains in the preparation phase. Authorities have not finalised the technical specifications.
Capacity options range from 4,800 megawatts to 11,000 megawatts. Estimated costs exceed $10 billion. The World Bank stresses the need for strong institutional readiness. The country must prepare its governance, financial and territorial systems before construction begins.
To support readiness, the World Bank launched the Inga 3 Development Program. The institution committed $1 billion over ten years. The funding is divided into four phases of $250 million each. The bank approved the first tranche on June 3, 2025. This phased structure strengthens planning and institutional capacity before a final investment decision.
