From 28 September to 2 October 2025, a strong delegation from the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE) of the Democratic Republic of Congo, led by its CEO, Professor Dr. Sandrine MUBENGA NGALULA, took part in the PowerAfrica Conference 2025 held in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. The event was organised by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Under the theme “Pioneering Sustainable Energy Solutions for Africa’s Future”, this high-level conference is a major event that brings together researchers, engineers, and practitioners from across the globe to discuss the latest discoveries, innovative ideas, and emerging technologies in electrical systems. The conference aims to address Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities, with a focus on power systems integration, business models, technological advances, policies, and regulatory frameworks.
During this year’s edition, several stakeholders in the electricity sector showcased the progress made in their respective countries. In this context, the ARE delegation presented the institution’s key achievements since its operationalisation and their impact on improving the electricity sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
During her address, Professor Dr. Sandrine MUBENGA NGALULA provided a quantitative overview of the electricity regulatory framework in the DRC from 2020 to 2024. She summarised her presentation as follows:
“The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) aims to provide electricity access to over 60 million people by 2030. This objective, driven by the Ministry of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity, depends on the capacity of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE) to effectively fulfil its mandate as a regulator and reformer of the sector.
The paper presented by ARE at PowerAfrica Conference 2025 evaluates the Authority’s contribution to the increase in electricity production between 2020 and 2030, based on its 2024 Annual Report. This report highlights ARE’s rigorous governance in line with Decree n° 16/013 establishing the institution. It also notes the activities of more than 30 operators across six segments of the electricity value chain, demonstrating the effectiveness of market liberalisation since ARE’s creation.
In 2024, over 78% of approved projects were in renewable energy, with 67% solar and 11% hydroelectric. Mining operators remain the main beneficiaries. By 2030, more than 3,191.6 MW are expected to be supplied from solar photovoltaic and hydroelectric sources.”
Following the CEO’s presentation, two other members of the delegation, Mrs Allegria NTUMBA (Administrative and Financial Director of ARE) and Mr Pascal TSHIMBALANGA (Director of Provincial Representations of ARE), respectively presented on the organisation’s investment in human capital and the structure and functioning of ARE in the provinces.
In their respective presentations, the two speakers outlined the three main organs of ARE — the Board of Directors, the Executive Management, and the College of Auditors. The the Executive Management oversees the institution’s daily operations and is supported by a steadily growing workforce. Recruitment efforts have been geared towards promoting gender equality, resulting in women representing 38.46% of staff, while men account for 61.54%. The total number of training hours undertaken by staff for capacity building reached 2,563 hours. These training sessions and workshops were organised both nationally and internationally, delivered in-person, online, and in hybrid formats.
Regarding ARE’s organisation and operations in the provinces, it was demonstrated that effective regulation of the electricity sector in the DRC requires close interaction between the regulator (administration) and stakeholders — operators, developers, and consumers. To this end, ARE progressively established provincial offices, known as “Pools”, under the Directorate of Provincial Representations (DRP). The DRP serves as the interface between the the Executive Management and the provinces, ensuring effective regulation of electricity sector activities nationwide. To date, three (3) of the five (5) planned Pools are already operational — namely the Central, Eastern, and Southern Pools, based in Mbuji-Mayi, Goma, and Kolwezi respectively, covering a total of twelve (12) provinces.
At the conclusion of the ARE delegation’s presentation — attended by His Excellency Mr KASONGO MUSENGA, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo to Egypt — participants at PowerAfrica Conference 2025 expressed great satisfaction with the Congolese regulatory model and the progress achieved since 2020.
Balancing work and culture, the delegation also took the opportunity to explore Egypt’s rich historical heritage, visiting the iconic Pyramids — monumental structures from Ancient Egypt — as well as the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation.
