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Kinshasa's pan-African plans for Grand Inga
One of the dams of the Grand Inga project. © Radio Okapi/CC-BY SA 2.0

Running story
Kinshasa's pan-African plans for Grand Inga

Although their construction is being hampered by the very scale of the project in which they figure, the huge Inga III and Inga VIII hydroelectric dams offer the prospect of being able to generate tens of thousands of megawatts of electricity. Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi, whose standing at home has been weakened by his dispute with his predecessor Joseph Kabila, is trying to position himself as the harbinger of a project capable of providing electricity for the entire African continent. To do so, he needs to find the right candidates among the hordes of investors milling at his door.

Kinshasa's pan-African plans for Grand Inga
One of the dams of the Grand Inga project. © Radio Okapi/CC-BY SA 2.0

DRC
World Bank prepares to return to Inga III mega dam project

Eight years after having withdrawn from the hydroelectric project, the Bretton Woods institution is now hoping to lead it, and is considering making an investment of $250m.

LogoSubscribers only Infrastructure 23.12.2024

DRC
AfDB seeks to make voice heard on Inga III mega-dam

The African Development Bank is seeking to take advantage of Australian miner Fortescue's failed bid to lead the Grand Inga development by advocating for a reduced-scale project. A delegation from the pan-African institution is expected shortly in Kinshasa.

LogoSubscribers only Infrastructure, Finance 18.07.2024

DRC
Tshisekedi's Paris trip: what's on the agenda for the business France-DRC forum?

The Congolese president's trip to Paris will be marked by the first Business France-DRC Forum on 30 April. The event will focus on three sectors: strategic minerals, energy and infrastructure.

LogoSubscribers only Business 24.04.2024

DRC
Fortescue to decide by year end whether to continue on Grand Inga megadams

After Congolese authorities blocked the project for over a year, the Australian firm has now given itself until the end of 2023 to decide whether or not to give up on the Grand Inga project.

LogoSubscribers only Infrastructure, Energy 03.10.2023

DRC
Fortescue pays top dollar to Tshisekedi pal to lobby on Grand Inga

The pastor and businessman Olivier Chekinah has made the most of his presidential ties to sell his consulting services on the mega-dam project to the Australian mining company.

LogoSubscribers only Energy, Mining 28.07.2023

DRC
China Three Gorges may be back on track to bag Grand Inga deal

The Congolese government, after a series of U-turns in the Grand Inga mega-dams project, is now looking again at plans proposed by China Three Gorges. Much to the chagrin of Australia's Fortescue Metals Group, which fears that it will lose the project.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 12.06.2023

DRC
Kinshasa keeps Fortescue on edge with delay on Grand Inga deal

The Australian mining giant, after lengthy negotiations last year with the Congolese state, is waiting impatiently for the signature of a rider to a 2020 convention for the development of the Grand Inga dam. Africa Intelligence can now reveal the details of that document.

LogoSubscribers only Infrastructure 11.04.2023

DRC
Tshisekedi's reshuffles his presidential staff, one step at a time

For months, the Congolese president has been promising to shake up and slim down his team of top aides. The new line-up is finally taking shape, with the position of special adviser likely to be culled.

The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi in Bujumbura (Burundi) on 21 May 2022.
LogoSubscribers only Politics 06.12.2022
The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi in Bujumbura (Burundi) on 21 May 2022.

DRC
Kinshasa in Paris charm offensive towards French investors

The Tshisekedi government is seeking to attract investment from France in the hydrogen sector.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 18.08.2022

DRC
Kinshasa and Fortescue to hold next round of negotiations in Paris

Prior to finalising the contract to generate 70 GW in the DRC, which includes the Grand Inga mega-dam project, the Australian firm Fortescue is hoping over the summer to agree an amendment to the memorandum of understanding signed with Kinshasa in September 2020.

LogoSubscribers only Infrastructure, Energy 13.07.2022

DRC
Despite Tony Blair's insistence, GIP finally says no to the Grand Inga project

The US-based Global Infrastructures Partners, owned by Nigerian businessman Adebayo Ogunlesi, has finally decided not to get involved in the scheme to build vast dams on the mighty Congo river.

LogoSubscribers only Energy, Mining 29.06.2022

Spotlight | DRC
Fortescue in Kinshasa to stake its claim to Grand Inga as rivals circle

As a rival project takes shape in Paris, the Australian miner Fortescue is going all out to secure the lead role in the development of mega-dams on the River Congo.

The prime minister of the DRC, Sama Lukonde Kyenge, received a delegation from Fortescue led by Julie Shuttleworth, CEO of Fortescue Future Industries, in Kinshasa on 30 May 2022.
LogoSubscribers only Energy, Mining, Business 09.06.2022
The prime minister of the DRC, Sama Lukonde Kyenge, received a delegation from Fortescue led by Julie Shuttleworth, CEO of Fortescue Future Industries, in Kinshasa on 30 May 2022.

DRC
Tshisekedi's hopes for united front on Fortescue mega-dam project

To silence the criticism that has plagued the development of hydroelectric mega-dams on the Congo River, Félix Tshisekedi's chief of staff is trying to unite the teams involved and garner their support for Australian mining giant Fortescue's project.

LogoSubscribers only Energy, Business 10.02.2022

DRC
Fortescue gets busy to win Tshisekedi's Grand Inga blessing

Having embarked on a vast project to produce hydrogen, the Australian miner is doing all it can to become the only credible candidate to build the series of mega-dams.

DRC president Félix Tshisekedi.
LogoSubscribers only Energy, Business 04.01.2022
DRC president Félix Tshisekedi.

DRC
Tshisekedi dramatically cancels Grand Inga talks at COP26

After a discussion with the boss of Fortescue Metals Group, the Australian firm slated to develop the Grand Inga project, the Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi abruptly cancelled a meeting devoted to the mega-dam project at which African Development Bank and African Union representatives had been due to speak.

LogoSubscribers only Energy, Business 05.11.2021

DRC
COP26: Between Grand Inga and DRC forestry capital, Félix Tshisekedi attempts grand slam in Glasgow

The DRC presidency has come out in force at the climate summit in Glasgow and is looking to give substance to its carbon reduction projects. Its main asset, the construction of the Grand Inga, will be the subject of a behind-the-scenes meeting with the African Union.

Democratic Republic of the Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi arrives for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
LogoSubscribers only Infrastructure, Diplomacy 03.11.2021
Democratic Republic of the Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi arrives for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.

DRC
Tshisekedi drops bombshell on Fortescue's contract on Grand Inga

Breaking news published on 15/09/21 at 10 a.m. - A contract to develop six Grand Inga mega dams seems to be slipping out of the mining giant's hands. Founded by Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest, Fortescue Metals had pledged to invest $80bn.

LogoSubscribers only Energy, Politics 15.09.2021

DRC
China's Three Gorges definitively ousted from Grand Inga

Three years after Chinese state-owned firm Three Gorges signed a contract with Joseph Kabila's government, the company has been told it will no longer be given exclusive rights to develop the Inga III dam.

LogoSubscribers only Energy, Business 16.08.2021

DRC
Tony Blair expresses private reservations over Fortescue's monopoly on Grand Inga

The former British prime minister, whose Tony Blair Institute has been helping the DRC to develop its economic strategy, has warned President Tshisekedi against allowing the Australian giant Fortescue to be in sole charge of the development of the Grand Inga mega-dams.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
LogoSubscribers only Business 26.07.2021
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

DRC
AfDB wants Inga III mega-dam project put out to tender

The African Development Bank is in talks with DRC authorities over its support for one of the vast Grand Inga project hydro-electric dams and is keen to see companies compete to develop it. At stake is some $55m in financing and the bank's seal of approval.

LogoSubscribers only Energy, Business 02.06.2021

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One of the dams of the Grand Inga project.

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Kinshasa's pan-African plans for Grand Inga

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