Société Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL) and Invest Africa convene United Arab Emirates (UAE) investors to explore opportunities across the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) energy infrastructure pipeline

• A Bankable Co-Investment Pipeline: SNEL and Invest Africa convened UAE leaders to showcase a structured, multi-gigawatt infrastructure pipeline, highlighting a highly secure opportunity for institutional capital to scale up renewable generation and modernise the national grid.
• Unrivaled Regional Cost Leadership: Moving beyond theoretical potential, SNEL leverages an operational, 99.9% clean hydro baseload that delivers a structural cost advantage with an LCOE of ~$32/MWh, significantly outperforming regional peers and offering highly competitive margins for industrial off-takers.
• Powering the Global Mineral Transition: Delivering reliable, ultra-low-carbon electricity is the strategic prerequisite for the DRC’s copper and cobalt mining sectors, driving sustainable industrialisation while securing the critical supply chains essential to the global energy transition.

Société Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL SA), the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) national electricity utility, in partnership with Invest Africa (https://www.InvestAfrica.com/) convened senior representatives from the UAE’s investment, finance, energy and infrastructure sectors for a private investment dinner in Dubai on 21 October. The event provided a platform to explore opportunities for international investors to participate in the development and modernisation of the DRC’s energy infrastructure.

Led by SNEL Director General, Prof. Dr. Ir. Teddy Lwamba Muba, the discussion focused on SNEL’s proposed investment pipeline, spanning large-scale hydropower, solar energy, battery storage, regional power interconnections, transmission infrastructure and digital metering. The pipeline reflects the scale of investment required to expand electricity supply, modernise the national grid and strengthen the DRC’s role in regional energy markets.

The DRC possesses an estimated 167 GW of hydropower potential across 3,350 identified sites, including the approximately 44 GW Inga complex. Yet, according to SNEL’s investment presentation, just 4.6 GW of hydropower capacity is currently installed nationwide. Unlocking this potential represents a significant opportunity to expand low-carbon electricity generation while supporting the country’s industrial development and growing demand for reliable power.

Among the opportunities presented were three major hydropower projects: Luapula, with a proposed capacity of 800 MW and an estimated investment of US$1.68 billion; Kibombo, at 246 MW and US$662 million; and Wanie Rukula, at 688 MW and US$3.4 billion. The wider pipeline also includes approximately US$4 billion in solar photovoltaic development, alongside investments in cross-border transmission, grid expansion and smart metering.

Reliable, competitively priced electricity will be essential to the DRC’s ambitions as a global supplier of critical minerals, particularly copper and cobalt. Expanding low-carbon power infrastructure can help meet the needs of energy-intensive mining operations, support more sustainable mineral supply chains and create the conditions for wider industrial growth. Improved regional interconnections could also strengthen electricity trade and enable the DRC to contribute further to regional energy security.

The discussions took place as SNEL pursues measures to strengthen electricity supply in the near term. Through its partnership with Turkish company Karpowership, SNEL is preparing for the deployment of a floating power plant with an announced initial capacity of approximately 134 MW in Matadi, intended to inject additional electricity into the national grid and support supply to Kinshasa. The initiative illustrates the importance of combining near-term capacity solutions with sustained investment in generation and transmission infrastructure.

Prof. Dr. Ir. Teddy Lwamba Muba, Director General of SNEL SA, said:

“Reliable, ultra-low-carbon power is the catalyst converting critical mineral endowments into sustainable industrial wealth. SNEL’s strategic transformation delivers exactly that: modernizing our generation fleet, securing regional transmission links, and deploying private capital frameworks under our updated regulatory regime. We are offering international investors disciplined governance, captive industrial demand, and long-term, risk-adjusted returns at the heart of Africa’s clean energy corridor.”

Chantelé Carrington, CEO of Invest Africa, said:

“The DRC presents significant opportunities for investors seeking to participate in Africa’s next phase of infrastructure development. Reliable electricity is fundamental to industrialisation, regional trade and the growth of competitive, sustainable businesses. By bringing SNEL together with investors and industry leaders from the UAE, we aim to support the partnerships needed to mobilise capital, advance priority projects and realise the country’s energy potential.”

The dinner formed part of Invest Africa’s wider work to connect African businesses and institutions with international investors, facilitating partnerships across key sectors of the continent’s economy.

Invest Africa and SNEL will look to build on the discussions and support further engagement with prospective investment partners around the DRC’s energy infrastructure priorities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

Media enquiries: 
Invest Africa
George Meadows
george.meadows@investafrica.com

SNEL
Léonard Lifar
lli@concerto-pr.com

About SNEL SA: 
Société Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL SA) is the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s state-owned national electricity utility, responsible for electricity generation, transmission and distribution. SNEL plays a central role in the development, operation and modernisation of the country’s electricity infrastructure.

About Invest Africa:
Invest Africa is a leading business and investment platform that connects businesses and investors with opportunities across Africa. Its global network comprises more than 400 member organisations, including multinationals, private equity firms, institutional investors, development finance institutions, professional services providers, government bodies and entrepreneurs. Through its global network, market intelligence, membership services and events programme, Invest Africa facilitates sustainable capital flows and supports businesses seeking to engage with African markets.