The Democratic Republic of Congo's national electricity company, SNEL, is facing a critical situation, affecting millions of its subscribers. Residents have struggled to receive reliable electricity for nearly a month, with nighttime blackouts plunging the capital into darkness. The consequences are far-reaching, impacting social, security, and economic aspects. The decline of SNEL, the official electricity operator, has been ongoing for years, worsening recently.
To address SNEL's challenges, the government has hired a consultant who recommended a gradual restructuring approach. This involves segmenting the company into three operational units focused on production, transportation, and electricity distribution. The consultant's recommendation came after analyzing various scenarios from an institutional, legal, technical, operational, and financial diagnosis. This restructuring aims to improve transparency, determine activity costs, and ensure compliance with the law.
The proposed restructuring involves creating three autonomous units with separate accounting, adhering to the law on the electricity sector. This organization will enhance cost transparency, determine activity costs, and guarantee respect for pricing principles. According to the government, this operation preserves SNEL's legal unity and patrimony while allowing gradual compliance with the new legal framework.
The government's plan aims to strengthen SNEL's governance and performance, preserve synergies between activities, and mobilize necessary investments for the sector's development. The proposal, made by the Minister of Portfolio and adopted by the Council of Ministers in July 2026, has not yet been implemented. With the current precarious situation, SNEL's subscribers are calling for urgent action.
The restructuring requires involvement from lawmakers, and the population is urging deputies and senators to address this issue during their ordinary session. As representatives of the people, their involvement is crucial to accelerate the process. Previously, deputies demanded the departure of SNEL's Director-General due to poor governance, which led to frequent power disruptions.
The population expects lawmakers to demonstrate their commitment to improving the lives of their constituents. By taking ownership of this file, lawmakers can expedite its treatment. The restructuring of SNEL is essential to address the current electricity crisis and provide reliable services to millions of subscribers.
The implementation of the consultant's recommendations will depend on the government's and lawmakers' commitment to addressing SNEL's challenges. The population eagerly awaits tangible actions to restore reliable electricity services and alleviate the suffering caused by the current situation.
Key points
- DR Congo's national electricity company SNEL faces restructuring amid power outages
- The restructuring aims to improve governance, performance, and transparency
- Lawmakers' involvement is crucial to expedite the process
