• DR Congo moves to update studies for 6,450-MW Pioka-Tombe dam

• Talks held with Italian firm Electroconsult to relaunch project

• Cross-border project could help ease Kinshasa’s electricity deficit

The Democratic Republic of Congo has opened talks to update technical studies for the Pioka-Tombe hydroelectric project, a 6,450-MW cross-border hydropower project.

According to a statement published on March 12, 2026, Mines and Electricity Minister Aimé Sakombi Molendo met in Milan with officials from Italian engineering firm Electroconsult, which conducted the site’s first technical studies in 1978.

The ministry said discussions focused on updating the project’s technical and economic studies, a prerequisite for relaunching the development. The objective is to refresh existing data ahead of the next phases of the project.

Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Italy, Electroconsult is an engineering and consulting firm involved in hydropower, geothermal energy, electricity and civil infrastructure projects.

At a Cabinet meeting on Jan. 9, 2026, Sakombi Molendo outlined several technical steps needed to revive Pioka-Tombe, including updating existing studies, conducting topographic surveys, carrying out pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and preparing a detailed preliminary design.

The minister also said an appropriate institutional and financial framework would be required to mobilize the investment needed to build the project.

Development of the site is also covered by a bilateral cooperation agreement between the DRC and the Republic of Congo. On Feb. 26, 2026, Sakombi Molendo and his Congolese counterpart Émile Ousso signed a memorandum of understanding on the hydroelectric development of the Pioka-Tombe site on the Congo River.

Once completed, the project could help ease Kinshasa’s power deficit, estimated at more than 1,000 MW, while supporting industrial development in Kongo Central and areas connected to the Inga grid.

Ronsard Luabeya, with Bankable