The Strategic Investment Fund of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FIS-RDC), Enterprise Power DRC SARL (EnPower), Trafigura, and Gridworks Development Partners have signed a Strategic Framework Agreement to jointly finance, build, and operate a 200km high-voltage power line connecting Kalumbila, Zambia, with Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This project, known as the Kalumbila–Kolwezi Interconnector Project (KKIP), aims to strengthen the DRC's connection to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
The KKIP project has reached its final stage of development, with all necessary concessions, licenses, and authorizations secured. The estimated construction cost is USD300 million, and the line will have a thermal capacity of 700MW, enabling up to 550MW of competitively priced electricity to be imported into the Copperbelt mining region of the DRC. The line design allows for a future capacity increase to over 1GW, providing a potential for further expansion.
The parties involved have confirmed their intention to invest equity in KKIP, with Gridworks as the lead equity investor and majority shareholder. EnPower is the project developer, a licensed Congolese power trader, and a SAPP member. Trafigura has agreed to arrange a significant share of the project's debt financing. FIS-RDC, EnPower, and Gridworks are also in discussions with Zambian entities about taking a stake in the project.
The KKIP project is expected to deliver benefits on both sides of the border. For the DRC, it will provide a new source of reliable, affordable power for the mining and industrial sectors, supporting social and economic development in local communities. The project will help address the country's structural energy deficit of more than 1GW and enable the development of mining and refining projects currently on hold due to a lack of available, cost-effective baseload power.
For Zambia, KKIP will create export opportunities for Zambian power producers, provide transmission capacity for licensed operators, and help spur the development of new generation. The participation of FIS-RDC, alongside Gridworks and Trafigura, will also strengthen cooperation between the DRC and Zambian governments and create a platform for long-term investment. Discussions are already underway with Zambian entities on potential co-investment.
The project leaders have expressed their enthusiasm for the project. Emile Osumba, CEO of FIS-RDC, stated that KKIP reflects the Fund's mandate to invest in strategic infrastructure with wider economic benefits. Marc Orphanides, Managing Director of EnPower, added that this agreement is an important milestone towards executing this strategic transmission infrastructure. Gonzalo De Olazaval, Global Head of Metals and Minerals at Trafigura, and Chris Flavin, CEO of Gridworks, also welcomed the project.
The KKIP project is the first investment announced by FIS-RDC since its creation in October 2025. It is also the first privately developed and financed cross-border transmission infrastructure on the African continent. The project is expected to unlock industrial growth, skilled jobs, and fiscal revenue for the DRC, while supporting job creation and local communities in both countries.
Key points
- The KKIP project will deliver a 700MW cross-border transmission line to supply the DRC's Copperbelt.
- The project will help address the DRC's structural energy deficit of more than 1GW.
- The project will create export opportunities for Zambian power producers and strengthen cooperation between the DRC and Zambian governments.
