DRC advances electricity sector with women’s training cohort and 10,000 solar streetlights

On 7 August 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Electricity Regulation Authority (ARE) launched the first cohort of the "ELLE'ECTRICITÉ" project in Kinshasa. Twenty young women from the University of Kinshasa, the Institut Supérieur des Travaux Appliqués and the Institut National du Bâtiment et des Travaux Publics were selected for a twelve‑month programme that combines orientation, mentorship, industry immersion and networking to increase female representation in technical and scientific electricity jobs.

The provincial government of Kinshasa announced a plan to install 10,000 solar streetlight kits on major city arteries. Presented by the provincial minister at the 11th provincial cabinet meeting on 30 July, the initiative aims to improve public lighting, enhance nighttime security and reduce the load on the national utility SNEL. The project aligns with Governor Daniel Bumba’s policy to address lighting deficits in the capital.

The DRC’s installed electricity capacity rose from 2,972 MW in 2020 to 4,133 MW at the end of 2025, and ARE‑approved projects for 2025 are expected to add roughly 2,000 MW to the national grid.