DR Congo and Zambia Unite to Tackle Copperbelt Energy Crisis

The governments of Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia are strengthening cross-border energy cooperation as surging electricity demand from the region’s expanding mining sector outpaces current power supply infrastructure.

The move centres around a planned US$270 million high-voltage transmission project linking Zambia’s northwestern mining region to southern DR Congo’s Copperbelt, one of the world’s most important copper and cobalt producing zones.

The 200-kilometre transmission line will run from Kalumbila to Kolwezi and is expected to deliver an initial 460 MW of electricity, with future expansion capacity to 550 MW. The project is being developed by Enterprise Power DRC and its Zambian subsidiary.

Mining expansion drives urgent power demand

Electricity shortages have emerged as one of the biggest constraints to mining growth across the Central African Copperbelt, where governments are increasingly pushing for local mineral processing and value addition rather than exporting raw materials.

According to Congolese Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba, studies indicate that an additional 1 GW of electricity capacity could potentially double current mining output in the DRC.

The DRC currently faces an estimated power deficit exceeding 5,000 MW, including at least 900 MW required specifically for mining operations in the southern region.

Mining companies across the region have increasingly relied on diesel generation and private backup systems to sustain operations due to unreliable grid supply and limited industrial-scale energy infrastructure.

Copperbelt becomes strategic energy investment zone

The Copperbelt region is rapidly emerging as one of Africa’s most strategically important energy investment corridors as global demand for copper and cobalt accelerates alongside the clean energy transition.

Industry analysts say Zambia is becoming a regional electricity gateway capable of supplying both domestic mines and neighbouring Congolese operations through new transmission interconnectors and renewable energy developments.

Several major power projects are already underway across the region, including large-scale solar and battery storage developments supporting mining operations such as the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex.

CrossBoundary Energy is currently developing a US$250 million solar-and-storage project for Kamoa-Kakula, with phased commissioning expected later this year.

Regional integration gains momentum

The latest energy initiative also aligns with broader efforts by Zambia and the DRC to deepen cooperation on mineral beneficiation, battery value chains and regional infrastructure integration.

Both countries are seeking to position the Central African Copperbelt as a globally competitive hub for critical minerals processing tied to electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and battery manufacturing.

Analysts say reliable power supply will be central to achieving those ambitions, particularly as more mines add energy-intensive smelting and refining capacity within the region rather than exporting concentrates abroad.