Kinshasa/Washington, D.C. — The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has taken a major step toward solving its chronic power shortages and driving industrial growth, signing a $1.5 billion agreement with Hydro-Link, a subsidiary of Symbion Power, to deliver 1,200MW of clean energy from Angola’s hydropower plants to the DRC’s mineral-rich Copperbelt.
The landmark deal, announced at the U.S.-Congo Investment Conference in Washington, will see the construction of a 1,160-kilometer (720-mile) transmission line linking Angola’s Lauca hydropower complex and other stations directly to the mining hub of Kolwezi. Once complete, the project will power the country’s booming copper and cobalt industries, which are vital to the global clean energy transition.
“This partnership demonstrates our shared vision for sustainable industrial growth powered by clean energy,” said Aimé Sakombi Molendo, Congo’s Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity. “I urge more American investors to follow this example.”
Powering Congo’s Mining Ambitions
Congo’s mining heartland — home to global producers like Ivanhoe Mines, Glencore, and CMOC Group — currently faces an estimated 1,500MW power deficit, forcing many operators to rely on expensive diesel generators. The Hydro-Link project aims to close that gap and enable new investment in local mineral processing, a key priority of President Félix Tshisekedi’s industrialization strategy.
Hydro-Link CEO Paul Hinks described the project as transformative:
“With the growth of the mining sector, the next decade will be a complete game-changer for Congo’s electricity supply.”
A U.S.-Backed Infrastructure Partnership
The deal aligns with Washington’s renewed focus on supporting critical mineral and energy partnerships in Africa. Hydro-Link plans to source over 30% of project materials — including cables, insulators, and hardware — from U.S.-based manufacturers.
Up to 70% of the project’s financing will be sought through a loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), alongside feasibility support from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and potential export credits from EXIM Bank.
Hydro-Link will partner with Mitrelli Group (Switzerland) for project execution, while Sargent & Lundy (U.S.) will provide engineering and design services.
A Liberalized Market Opens New Doors
Congo’s decision to liberalize its energy sector more than a decade ago now enables private companies to generate, transmit, and sell power independently — an uncommon framework in Africa that makes the DRC one of the continent’s most promising frontiers for power investment.
“It’s one of the only countries in Africa where you can manage the entire value chain privately,” noted Hinks. “That makes Congo one of the most exciting markets for private power investment.”
Toward a Greener, Stronger Economy
By channeling Angola’s hydropower to fuel Congo’s mining and processing industries, the Hydro-Link project sets the stage for regional energy cooperation, cleaner industrialization, and stronger economic integration across Central Africa.
As the DRC moves to become a leader in sustainable mining and infrastructure, this partnership signals a bold step toward energy independence, climate resilience, and shared regional prosperity.
