U.S. and DRC Partnership Advances Grand Inga Hydropower Project
News related to:Democratic Republic of Congo · 2 min read
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Less than a year after the United States and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed their Strategic Partnership Agreement on December 4, 2025, the two nations have made significant strides in turning their vision into reality. The partnership, which covers investment, critical minerals, infrastructure, and energy, has seen the launch of a $50 million lithium exploration program by KoBold Metals, one of the largest American investors in the DRC.
In April, the DRC took another step forward by signing a 30-year, $1.26 billion concession to rebuild the 1,000-kilometer DR Congo link of the Lobito Corridor railway. This project is part of a broader effort to enhance connectivity and support the development of the country's infrastructure.
The partnership's focus on the Grand Inga hydropower complex is a cornerstone of the agreement. Located at the Inga Falls on the Congo River, Grand Inga is poised to become the world's largest hydropower complex, with an estimated 42,000 megawatts of potential power. This is nearly double the 22,500 megawatts installed at China's Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest operating power station. The Inga 1 and Inga 2 facilities, which together produce about 1,800 megawatts, are currently in operation.
The inaugural Grand Inga Coordination and Governance Committee met at the World Bank offices in Paris. Co-chaired by Daniel Mukoko Samba, Deputy Prime Minister of the DRC, and Jeremy Wiggins of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the committee focused on developing Grand Inga in coordinated phases.
The Grand Inga project is expected to create between 4,000 and 6,000 jobs during its first phase. As the project develops, projections estimate that up to 8 million jobs could be created. The DRC aims to bring electricity to 62 percent of its population, approximately 82 million people, by 2030. This goal is closely tied to the development of Grand Inga, which will provide the necessary power infrastructure to support the country's energy needs.
The partnership between the United States and the DRC is a significant step towards sustainable development and economic growth in the region. As the Grand Inga project moves forward, it represents a promising future for both nations, combining American investment with DRC's vast natural resources to drive economic and social transformation.