Kinshasa, August 9, 2024 – In a charged atmosphere of suspense and hope, the Congolese Center for Sustainable Development Law (CODED) held an information-sharing workshop on the Grand Inga Project this Friday. This meeting, held in the Congolese capital, brought together civil society representatives, journalists, and experts to unveil new perspectives on this ambitious hydroelectric project, which has the potential to transform the Democratic Republic of Congo into a major energy hub for Africa.
The Grand Inga Project, located on the majestic Congo River, is renowned for its titanic scale, with a potential production capacity of 40,000 megawatts. To put this in perspective, it represents about 40% of Africa’s total hydroelectric capacity. The workshop allowed for an in-depth exploration of the economic, social, and environmental impacts of this initiative while revealing the behind-the-scenes developments.
Me Erick Kassongo, CODED coordinator, delivered a detailed presentation on the legal ramifications of the contracts associated with the project. He discussed the agreements signed with the World Bank and multilateral banks, mentioning conflicts that arose during the creation of the Inga Development Agency (ADPI). “In summary, you first have the agreements signed with the World Bank. It had an agreement with the DRC to technically support the development of the Inga site. The World Bank was not alone at that time; it was the multilateral banks supporting the project, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank. Then there was a disagreement about the establishment of the Inga Development Agency (ADPI). The ADPI was created outside the institutional arrangements agreed upon with the multilateral banks. Subsequently, two groups, including the Chinese and the Spaniards, initially submitted individual proposals; later, they were asked to merge their proposals to submit a joint one, which led to the signing of the agreement in 2018, presented to the public and the National Assembly,” he said. He added, “This is how the project was entrusted to the Australians, who are now being displaced in favor of others. This reflects a lack of vision. If we had a vision, it would be that Congo needs to build 4,000 megawatts; if it fails with one developer, another would come to develop the 4,000 megawatts Congo wants. Instead of selling us something extraordinary that ultimately fails. If we do not take ownership of the development project we want, we will be like whales consuming all kinds of waste from anywhere. I am not saying that investors are waste, but we will swallow short-term initiatives that will drag us down,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Mr. Al Kitenge shared insights into Fortescue Industries’ (FFI) investments and the reasons for their imminent withdrawal. He outlined the difficulties encountered: “The first rupture was a communication breakdown. The Congolese government no longer communicated despite FFI’s incessant requests and attempts. The government did not speak for a long time, and even signed a contract with the Nigerians. As a result, FFI decided to allow some time for their partner and focused on other successful projects. Therefore, the DRC’s question remains its decision. It works with whoever wants to work with it. This company has temporarily halted its local activities. Offices were closed, and staff were dismissed. I am no longer a consultant for the firm, but as a Congolese citizen, it is really unfortunate to lose the opportunity to work with ethical, serious partners capable of providing solutions that meet current challenges.” He also added, “At the time when we were fighting to attract buyers for 11,000 megawatts, they told us that we have 72,000 megawatts capable of being locally transformed and fostering integrated development in our country. This provides a basis for engaging in strategic discussions that go beyond just Inga. I believe we should take the lead in strategic planning, allowing us to attract various technical and financial partners, and I hope that FFI’s partners can return to the country.”
Beyond administrative and financial challenges, the impact of Grand Inga on the DRC’s industrial and energy development remains crucial. For this project to reach its potential, it must contribute to regional energy integration and stimulate internal development. The possibility of storing energy, particularly through hydrogen, could offer a promising path for Congo’s energy future.
If Grand Inga materializes in all its grandeur, it could not only transform the DRC into a key energy center but also provide a valuable lesson on the challenges of managing large-scale projects. The question remains: will the DRC navigate these challenges to realize its energy and industrial potential? Only time will tell.
By Franck Zongwe Lukama