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More and more operators are visiting the headquarters of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE) in Gombe to comply with Law n°. 14/011 of 17 June 2014 on the electricity sector, which governs the generation, transmission, distribution, importation, exportation and trading of electricity.

On August 12, 2025, two companies received their approvals : TWIGA POWER SARL and STIMA ENERGY SAU.

The Director of Provincial Representations, Mr. Pascal Tshimbalanga, formally handed over the favourable opinions to the two companies.

These documents were presented to Mr Papy Nvulazana, CEO of TWIGA POWER SARL. The implementation of this project is expected to generate a significant economic and social impact, with TWIGA set to create 120 direct jobs and 315 indirect jobs.

In addition, ARE also issued approvals to STIMA ENERGY SAU for its application for electricity import and trading licences.

Expressions of satisfaction

Upon receiving their approvals, the representatives of both companies expressed their gratitude.

“Today we are pleased to receive our  licences to import and  trade power” said Mr Papy Nvulazana.

“We approached ARE, who guided us in putting together our application file. We are very happy to obtain these licences as they will enable us to operate legally and contribute to the development of the electricity sector. The service was smooth, the application process was handled in the best possible timeframe. We believe ARE has done a tremendous job and we are delighted to obtain these two opinions today,” he concluded.

For her part, Ms Malou Monia, the representative of STIMA ENERGY SAU, stated that their company looks forward to contributing to the expansion of energy supply in the DRC.

“Together with ARE, we worked tirelessly, and I believe the experts at ARE did a remarkable job that enabled us to reach this outcome today. This will allow us to import electricity and redistribute it to the Congolese market, to the economic actors who need it, and potentially expand the supply to other sectors with high energy demand,” she said.

COMMUNICATION/ARE

De plus en plus d’opérateurs descendent au siège de l’Autorité de Régulation du secteur de l’Électricité (ARE), à Gombe, en vue de se conformer à la Loi n° 14/011 du 17 juin 2014, relative au secteur de l’électricité, laquelle encadre la production, le transport, la distribution, l’importation, l’exportation et la commercialisation de l’électricité.

Le 12 août 2025, c’était au tour de deux sociétés de recevoir leurs avis conformes, à savoir TWIGA POWER SARL et STIMA ENERGY SAU.

Sous l’instruction du Directeur General, Professeur Sandrine Mubenga, le Directeur des Représentations provinciales, Me Pascal Tshimbalanga, a procédé à la remise desdits Avis aux deux sociétés susmentionnées.

Ces documents ont été remis à Monsieur Papy Nvulazana, DG de TWIGA POWER SARL. L’exécution de ce projet aura un impact économique et social très important ; TWIGA va générer 120 emplois directs et 315 emplois indirects.

En outre, l’ARE a également remis des avis conformes à la société STIMA ENERGY SAU, pour sa demande de licence d’importation et de commercialisation de l’électricité.

Sentiment de satisfaction

Recevant leurs Avis, les hôtes de l’ARE ont manifesté  leur gratitude.

« Aujourd’hui nous avons le plaisir de recevoir entre nos mains nos deux licences, celle d’importation et celle de commercialisation », a déclaré M. Papy Nvulazana.

“Nous avons approché l’ARE”, a-t-il enchaîné, “qui nous a accompagnés dans la constitution du dossier”. « Nous sommes très heureux de les recevoir car elles vont nous permettre d’œuvrer légalement et de contribuer au développement du secteur de l’électricité. Le service a été très fluide, le processus du traitement du dossier s’est réalisé dans les meilleurs délais. Nous pensons que l’ARE a abattu un travail de titan et nous sommes aujourd’hui très ravis d’obtenir ces deux Avis », a-t-il conclu.

Pour sa part, Mme Malou Monia, la Représentante de STIMA ENERGY SAU, a affirmé que leur société attend pouvoir contribuer à l’expansion de l’énergie en RDC. « Avec l’ARE, nous avons travaillé d’arrache-pied, je pense que les experts de l’ARE ont fait un travail formidable qui nous a permis d’arriver à cette conclusion aujourd’hui. Cela nous permettra d’importer de l’énergie et de la redistribuer au marché congolais, aux acteurs économiques qui en ont besoin, pourquoi pas étendre l’offre à d’autres secteurs qui ont un grand besoin d’énergie », a-t-elle indiqué.

COMMUNICATION/ARE

As part of the 27^th edition of the Africa Energy Forum, held from June 17 to 20, 2025, in Cape Town (South Africa), the CEO of ARE, Dr. Sandrine Mubenga attended the 2024 session of the Electricity Regulatory Index for Africa, published by the African Development Bank. She shared her experience.

Representing the DRC in the City of Cape Town, the ARE’s CEO was invited to share her views on how the implementation of the AfDB’s recommendations has benefited the Congolese electricity sector. “We followed these recommendations which helped us make huge improvements in regulating the energy sector,” she told the audience, using actual data.

One of the key elements highlighted by the AfDB, she noted, is the need for regulatory bodies to reach a genuine financial autonomy, and to be able to make independent decisions. “This is an area where African countries need to make more progress. In DRC, we must really work towards achieving both financial and political autonomy for ARE,” she emphasized.

Commenting on the AfDB report, which assesses the regulatory progresses of each country’s energy sector, Dr. Mubenga emphasized the social impact of regulation. “The aim was to compare the regulatory frameworks across Africa and to analyze how regulation evolved in 2024. The AfDB shared the results of a survey conducted across all African regulators,” she explained.

She emphasised that regulation, as an indicator, aims to improve the standard of living of the population.

“There are several components within this indicator, and one of them specifically concerns the social impact: how regulation can have a positive effect on the population.”

Visit to an Ultracapacitor Company

Still during the AEF, Dr. Sandrine Mubenga visited PESCATECH, a client of West (Wright Energy Storage Technologies), a company that provides non-chemical energy storage solutions featuring high performance, exceptional reliability, minimal degradation, ultra-fast charging, and very low fire risk. Dr. Mubenga first connected with West at the Powering Africa Summit in Washington through its CFO, Ms. Linda Habgood. PESCATECH is a supplier of cleaning products in South Africa.

High-Powered, Long-Life Capacitors

West’s systems, branded as WEST Summit, are designed for a wide range of applications including solar energy, microgrids, and EV charging. These ultracapacitors boast a lifespan of up to 45 years, rapid charge/discharge capabilities, and high round-trip efficiency. They also feature advanced safety mechanisms, including dual current control and short-circuit detection.

In addition, ARE’s CEO held discussions with the team from CrossBoundary Group, which holds a 200 MW power generation contract for the mining company KAMOA Copper SA.

COMMUNICATION/ARE

 Dans le cadre de la 27^ième édition de la « Africa Energy Forum », tenue à Cape Town en Afrique du Sud du 17 au 20 juin 2025, le DG de l’ARE, le Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, a participé à la séance de restitution du Rapport 2024 de l’Indice de Réglementation de l’Electricité en Afrique, produit par la Banque Africaine de Développement. Elle y a partagé son expérience.

Porte-étendard de la R.D. Congo dans la ville portuaire de Cape Town, le DG de l’ARE a expliqué ce dont l’ARE a bénéficié en mettant en application les recommandations du précédent Rapport ERI de la BAD en témoignant des améliorations enregistrées dans le secteur congolais de l’électricité.

« Nous avons suivi ces recommandations et nous avons amélioré plusieurs points de la régulation du secteur énergétique », a-t-elle expliqué aux participants, statistiques à l’appui.

Un des grands éléments que ce Rapport de la BAD a mis en exergue aujourd’hui, a-t-elle souligné, est qu’il faut que le Régulateur acquière effectivement son autonomie financière et qu’il commence à prendre ses décisions en toute indépendance.

« C’est un point sur lequel les pays africains doivent davantage travailler. En RDC, nous devons réellement faire un effort pour obtenir l’autonomie financière et politique de l’ARE », a-t-elle insisté.

À propos du Rapport de la BAD qui évalue le degré de développement de la réglementation énergétique dans chaque pays, Dr. Mubenga a mis en lumière l’impact social de la régulation sur les populations. « Le but était de comparer toutes les régulations en Afrique, de voir comment s’est faite la régulation en Afrique en 2024. La BAD a présenté les résultats de l’enquête qu’elle a menée auprès de toutes les agences de régulation des secteurs énergétiques du continent », a-t-elle indiqué.

Elle a souligné que la régulation, en tant qu’indicateur, vise à améliorer le standard de vie de la population.

« Il y a plusieurs composantes dans cet indicateur, et l’une d’elles concerne précisément l’impact social: comment la régulation peut avoir un effet positif sur la population »

La visite d’une entreprise qui fabrique des ultra condensateurs

Toujours dans le cadre de cette 27^ième édition de l’AEF, Dr. Sandrine Mubenga Ngalula a visité PESCATECH, l’un des clients de West (Wright Energy Storage Technologies). West une compagnie qui utilise des technologies avancées de stockage non chimiques, performantes, fiables, à dégradation minimale et à charge ultra-rapide, avec un risque d’incendie très limité. Dr. Mubenga avait rencontré cette entreprise lors du Powering Africa Summit à Washington, par l’intermédiaire de Mme Linda Habgood, CFO de West. PESCATECH, quant à elle, est un fournisseur de produits de nettoyage en Afrique du Sud.

Des puissants condensateurs électroniques

Les systèmes de West sont commercialisés sous la gamme WEST Summit et sont conçus pour diverses applications telles que l’énergie solaire, les micro-réseaux et la recharge de véhicules électriques. Ces ultra condensateurs se distinguent par leur longévité (jusqu’à 45 ans), leur rapidité de charge/décharge et leur rendement aller-retour élevé. Ils intègrent également des fonctions de sécurité telles que la double gestion du courant et la détection des courts-circuits.

Par ailleurs, le DG de l’ARE a également eu des échanges avec l’équipe de CrossBoundary Group, société qui détient un contrat de production de 200 MW pour l’alimentation de la compagnie minière KAMOA Copper SA installée en RDC.

COMMUNICATION/ARE

The second edition of Congolese Energy Week, which ended on a note of commitment and hope, was held from 24 to 26 June 2025 in Kinshasa, in the La Perle de Sainte-Anne Hall (Gombe). The event organized under the leadership of Dr. Sandrine Mubenga Ngalula, CEO of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE), aimed to strengthen collective momentum around critical issues in the electricity sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 An edition marked by frank dialogue between ARE and stakeholders.

During three days of direct exchanges between ARE leadership, economic operators, partner institutions and sector stakeholders, several structural difficulties were identified, including:

• Insufficient energy supply in the face of growing demand.
• Fiscal and customs barriers;
• The lack of incentive mechanisms for investors.
• Administrative delays in the application of exemptions.

In his closing speech, His Excellency Mr. Guylain Nyembo Mbwizya, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Planning and Development Aid Coordination, representing the Minister of Water Resources and Electricity on mission, welcomed ARE initiative and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to addressing the challenges identified.

ARE is committed to actively advocating with the relevant authorities.

Addressing all participants, the CEO of ARE, Dr Sandrine Mubenga, emphasized the importance of this platform for exchange:

« Thanks to these three days of consultation, most of your concerns have been taken on board. Those falling within ARE’s remit will be dealt with without delay, while active advocacy will be carried out with the relevant institutions for the others.  »

She placed particular emphasis on recurring grievances related to taxation that is considered a deterrent:

« It is difficult to build an attractive energy sector if the applicable taxation remains that of common law. The difficulties in accessing tax and customs exemptions must be addressed seriously.

Enlightening testimonials from operators in the sector

On the last day of the workshop, Professor Jean-Pierre Nzuru, Technical Director of Ivanhoe Mines Energy, outlined the logistical and customs constraints encountered in the partnership between his company and SNEL for the rehabilitation of the Muadingusha power plant and the Inga G25 group.

‘Although SNEL obtained an exemption for imported equipment, the DGDA did not take this into account, forcing us to pay more than USD 20 million in customs duties.’

He urged ARE to relay these concerns to the relevant authorities, highlighting the damage suffered by both Ivanhoe and SNEL.

Collective initiatives and a strengthened consultation framework

Dr. Sandrine Mubenga welcomed the initiatives already taken by certain operators to address the challenges facing the sector. She announced that ARE, in collaboration with the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC) and several mining stakeholders, has already established a permanent consultation framework, the first meetings of which were held in Kolwezi.

« A new meeting will be organized shortly to adopt a clear and participatory operating framework for this framework, in order to make it a real lever for sectoral transformation.”

Recognition and encouragement from partners

Many institutions and partners welcomed the holding of this second edition:

• His Excellency Mr. Guylain Nyembo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Planning and Development Aid Coordination, called for this Week to become a tradition that brings about concrete reforms.
• The Advisor to the Governor of Lualaba, Mr. Victor Tshifutshi Kashala, described the platform as ‘a strategic place for building a shared vision of equitable access to electricity.
• The African Development Bank (AfDB), through Mr. Ibrahima Konate, reaffirmed its dynamic partnership with ARE, praising the organization’s professionalism.
• Mr. Didier Basangha, CEO of Afrika German Consult (AGC), presented the crucial role of independent experts in the technical compliance process, prior to the issuance of the certificate of compliance by ARE.

A collective dynamic to be consolidated.

In conclusion, the CEO of ARE expressed her gratitude:

‘We are honored by your recognition. It motivates us to redouble our efforts and continue to meet your expectations.’

The 2025 Congolese Energy Week therefore ended with a clear promise: to continue the action, strengthen partnerships and create a more favorable environment for equitable, dependable, and sustainable access to electricity in the DRC.

One-on-one sessions: a privileged format for listening and targeted dialogue.

In addition to the thematic panels, ARE also organized one-on-one exchange sessions with operators and technical and financial partners. This bilateral format allowed each entity to:

• present its structure and areas of intervention,
• share its success stories and the main difficulties encountered,
• express its expectations of ARE and technical and financial partners,
• outline its strategic projects for 2030.

These confidential and constructive exchanges strengthened mutual understanding and identified concrete avenues for collaboration to accelerate structural projects in the electricity sector in the DRC.

Thematic stands to address stakeholders’ concerns.

Throughout the event, ARE also set up several dedicated stands (legal, administrative, and fiscal, as well as technical) to provide a space for listening and advising participants. These stands enabled operators, project leaders and partners to obtain specific answers to their concerns and to better understand the procedures and tools put in place by ARE.

Thanks to the sponsors.

ARE expresses its deep gratitude to all the sponsors who actively contributed to the success of the 2025 Congolese Energy Week. “In particular, we would like to thank the Ministry of Transport, Communications, Energy, Industry, Hydrocarbons and Tourism of Lualaba Province, Gold Sponsor of the event, as well as Vostro Power, Kibali Gold Mine, Erg Africa Group, Trust Merchant Bank (TMB), Bracongo, Sodassur, Kipay, Engineering Electrical Consulting (EEC), the Industry Promotion Fund (FPI), Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) and SOCODICE. Their financial, logistical, and technical support has made it possible to provide a high-quality forum for exchange and to strengthen the impact of this initiative in favor of an inclusive and efficient energy sector. “

COMMUNICATION/ARE