Workshop II: Powering DRC: Financing Africa’s largest renewable energy metro-grids

It is estimated that over 82 million people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) lack electricity, making it one of the countries with the highest number of people without access globally, despite possessing enormous, untapped renewable energy potential.

To close on this gap, DRC is looking to deploy an ambitious private sector led electrification model that can deliver city‑scale, renewable energy based isolated distribution networks  under bankable concessions, noting potential applicability to as many as 100 cities.  To this end, the country is advancing a first‑of‑its‑kind metro‑grid program, the Moyi Power project, across Isiro, Bumba and Gemena. These metro-grids will see a private sector operator construct and operate assets under 22‑year concessions with exclusivity to supply 24/7 power and with public‑service obligations such as free public lighting.

At full scale, Moyi targets >85% renewable generation to reach over 1 million people via PV + BESS, and progressive grid expansion to reach city‑wide coverage. The financing structure blends grants, senior debt, equity and shareholder loans, enabling stepwise expansion with international utility‑grade KPIs.

The proposed session will showcase the programme  objectives, state of implementation, unique features, and key learnings.