The start-up unit of the Regional Electricity Regulatory Commission for Central Africa (CORREAC) was officially installed on Thursday, 19 February 2026, in Kinshasa, by Mr William Tumawaku, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Water Resources and Electricity, His Excellency Molendo Sakombi.
The ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE), located in the Le Royal building in Gombe. During the event, Mr Samuel Nyobe was formally installed as Head of the Start-Up Unit, alongside a legal expert. The CORREAC start-up unit will temporarily operate from ARE’s premises pending the construction of its dedicated headquarters. This installation constitutes the culmination of four years of advocacy undertaken by ARE’s Directorate General.
Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including ARE Deputy CEO, Mr Marco Kuyu, representing Dr Sandrine Mubenga Ngalula, CEO of ARE; Mr Désiré Armand Ndemazagoa, Representative of the President of the Commission of the Communauté Économique des États de l’Afrique Centrale (CEEAC); and the Ambassador, Head of the CEEAC Liaison Office in the DRC. The Minister of Regional Integration was also represented.
In his remarks, Mr Samuel Nyobe stated that they were pleased after hearing the commitment of the Congolese Government regarding the host agreement.
He indicated that he and the legal expert, together with four additional members expected to join shortly, will lay the technical foundations of CORREAC’s work from the offices provided by ARE, pending their permanent building.
Together, he noted, they will address regional integration in the electricity sector, cross-border electricity exchanges and standards.
He further added that they will undertake numerous studies, engage all 11 regulators in Central Africa, and designate a CORREAC focal point in each country.
For his part, Deputy CEO Marco Kuyu recalled the scope of work ahead for CORREAC, specifying that the start-up unit installed today will prepare the groundwork. Within six months, the process will move to the next stage, with representatives from the 11 Member States of CEEAC joining the team.
Mr Désiré Armand Ndemazagoa congratulated the DRC for hosting CORREAC’s headquarters. According to him, the DRC has significant energy potential and therefore deserves to organise and regulate the electricity market in Central Africa.
Following the official installation, discussions continued during a cocktail reception held at the end of the ceremony.
