rfi.fr
Congo's Sounda Dam Project
Congo to build new Sounda Dam to boost electricity supply and attract foreign investment, primarily financed by China.
French
France
Energy SecurityAfricaInvestmentInfrastructureEnergyDevelopment
China Overseas Company Limited
Thierry MoungallaAlphonse NdongoMermans Babounga
- What is the main objective of the Sounda Dam project in Congo?
- The Sounda Dam project in the Republic of the Congo aims to increase electricity supply by generating 600-800 megawatts. Construction, by China Overseas Company Limited, is slated to begin in January 2025 and last five years.
- What are the expected economic and social benefits of the Sounda Dam project?
- Increased electricity production is expected to boost household energy supply and support industrialization efforts, attracting foreign investment and creating jobs in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
- What is the current status of Congo's electricity production and distribution network?
- While Congo currently produces more electricity than its local consumption needs, much is lost in the poorly maintained distribution network. The Sounda Dam aims to address this inefficiency and provide more reliable power.
- How is the Sounda Dam project expected to impact foreign investment and job creation in Congo?
- Experts believe that the improved electricity supply resulting from the Sounda Dam will be a key factor in attracting foreign direct investment, boosting industrial growth, and creating employment opportunities for the Congolese population.
- How is the Sounda Dam project primarily being financed, and what is the likely financing model?
- The project is primarily financed through pre-financing from China, likely structured as a build-operate-transfer model due to Congo's current financial constraints.