DRC Energy Week -2025 ARE reaffirms its commitment to bringing operators’ concerns to the attention of the relevant authorities.

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