Congo, South Africa to revive $10 billion Inga 3 dam amid growing energy demands

The Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa are set to revive talks on the long-delayed Inga 3 hydropower project, reopening negotiations on one of Africa’s most ambitious energy developments.

Discussions are expected to resume in April 2026, with South Africa’s Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa scheduled to visit Kinshasa to review existing agreements and explore expanded power imports.

The project, part of the wider Grand Inga scheme on the Congo River, has remained in planning for years despite its potential to transform electricity supply across the continent.

Power deal under review

At the centre of the renewed talks is a proposed increase in electricity exports from Congo to South Africa.

The two countries already have a political agreement covering 2,500 megawatts of power supply. However, ongoing negotiations are expected to consider doubling that figure to 5,000 megawatts, reflecting South Africa’s growing energy demand.

If agreed, the deal would position Congo as a major electricity exporter in Africa, with Inga 3 expected to feed into regional grids across southern, eastern and central Africa.

Project capacity estimates vary, with planned output ranging between 4,800 megawatts and 11,000 megawatts depending on final design decisions.

Analysts say such capacity could significantly ease chronic power shortages in parts of the continent while supporting industrial growth and cross-border energy trade.

Financing hurdles remain

Despite renewed momentum, Inga 3 remains at the preparation stage, with no final investment decision in place.

The project is expected to cost more than $10 billion, making it one of the largest infrastructure investments in Africa.

Congolese authorities are currently working with the Agency for the Development and Promotion of the Grand Inga Project and international partners to structure financing and advance technical planning.

The World Bank has committed up to $1 billion over a 10-year period to support the broader development programme, with the first tranche approved in 2025.

Officials say preparations extend beyond engineering work to include environmental safeguards, institutional readiness and regional planning due to the project’s scale.

If completed, Inga 3 could generate significant export revenues for Congo while improving electricity access in Kinshasa and surrounding industrial zones.

However, the project has faced repeated delays over financing challenges, governance concerns and shifting investor interest.

The resumption of talks signals a fresh attempt to attract partners and move the project closer to implementation, although timelines remain uncertain.

For now, the renewed engagement highlights growing regional urgency to secure a stable power supply as African economies expand and electricity demand continues to rise.

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