On November 26-27, 2024, the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, hosted a crucial workshop aimed at promoting transparency and access to public information. The event was organized by the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Monitoring Reforms and Public Action (Corap) and the Congolese Center for the Right to Sustainable Development (Coded). It brought particular attention to one of the flagship projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—the Grand Inga Project, a large-scale hydropower initiative—as well as the challenges surrounding the opacity that clouds these major initiatives.
The goal of the workshop was to promote wider and more transparent access to public information, particularly for projects with significant social and environmental impacts. The case of Grand Inga, currently at the center of national discussions, highlighted the obstacles faced by civil society organizations in their efforts to obtain information on large-scale projects. These projects are often treated as “state secrets,” with poor document management that prevents any form of oversight, accountability, or public debate.
The unique report by Corap, titled “Grand Inga Project: A Lost Game of Ping-Pong for the DRC,” presented by Justin Mobomi, the organization’s project officer, was the focal point of the event. This report outlines the structural and political challenges that hinder the project, criticizing poor management and lack of transparency. It highlights the complexity of the project, which could turn into a mirage if the conditions for effective and equitable implementation are not met. The criticisms focused on the public-private partnership model, a formula intended to stimulate investment while easing public finances. However, in a country where transparency remains a major challenge, such models risk benefiting private investors more than the local population. This is a concern shared by civil society, which fears that the lack of transparency could lead to financial abuses and burdensome commitments for the country.
Despite these criticisms, the Grand Inga project remains a strategic element for the future energy needs of the DRC. Bruno Kapanji, former director-general of the Agency for the Development and Promotion of the Grand Inga Project, emphasized the major stakes of this initiative. According to him, the project is not only a lever for the country’s energy sovereignty but also a solution to the chronic energy deficit, particularly in Kinshasa, where power outages are frequent. Kapanji defended the idea that the realization of Grand Inga is essential for the industrialization of the DRC, asserting that this project is the only viable solution to increase access to electricity and support industrial development throughout the country.
While civil society is not opposed to this strategic project, it insists on the need for transparent governance and better management of information. Since 2013, key documents related to the project, such as contracts signed with international partners and environmental impact studies, have never been made public. The treaty signed with South Africa, studies conducted by Aecom and SDF France, as well as partnership agreements with foreign consortiums, remain shrouded in secrecy. This opacity prevents genuine public consultation and poses risks for the future of the DRC. The example of financial losses due to the energy deficit, estimated at $31 billion by 2030, was also cited as an indicator of the urgency to act. However, according to civil society, the mistakes of the past must not be repeated. Justin Mobomi emphasized that if the country continues with the current financing model, the project risks becoming an additional burden for the Congolese people, with long-term consequences for both the economy and the environment. The workshop raised critical questions about the very nature of the Grand Inga Project: can it truly transform the country and provide lasting benefits to the population, or is it an unrealistic project that could become a burden for future generations? These questions are crucial to ensure that the DRC does not find itself at the mercy of projects that, due to lack of transparency and proper management, could turn into failures.
Civil society is calling for ongoing reflection and collective input to ensure that large infrastructure projects, like Grand Inga, are carried out in accordance with democratic governance principles, transparency, and social responsibility. It is urgent to ensure that today’s decisions will not lead to heavy consequences for the country and its population in the future. As the DRC stands at a crossroads for its energy and economic future, the issue of access to public information and the governance of major projects like Grand Inga is more important than ever. Civil society organizations continue to stress that, without genuine transparency, these projects risk never reaching their full potential and could end up being white elephants for the DRC. A more inclusive, transparent, and equitable energy future is not only possible but necessary to ensure the country’s sustainable development. It is up to the authorities, investors, and civil society to work together to make this future a reality.
By Kilalopress
