The Kalumbila-Kolwezi Interconnector Project (KKIP), a 200 km high-voltage power line, will connect Kalumbila in Zambia to Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project, backed by the Congolese Strategic Investment Fund (FIS-RDC), Enterprise Power DRC SARL (EnPower), Trafigura, and Gridworks Development Partners, aims to bring affordable energy to the Copperbelt region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This region is a significant mining hub, and the project is expected to unlock new mining and industrial capacities.
The KKIP project has reached its final development stage, having obtained the necessary concessions, licenses, and authorizations. The estimated construction cost is $300 million. Once completed, the project will strengthen the Democratic Republic of Congo's connection to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), a regional organization that interconnects national electricity grids in Southern Africa. This will enable the exchange of electricity across borders and provide a reliable source of power for the mining and industrial sectors.
The KKIP project will have a thermal capacity of 700 MW, allowing for the importation of up to 550 MW of competitively priced electricity to the Copperbelt region. The line's design also allows for future capacity increases of over 1 GW. The project is expected to benefit both countries, providing a new source of reliable and affordable electricity for the Democratic Republic of Congo's mining and industrial sectors, as well as new export opportunities and transportation capacity for Zambian electricity producers.
The parties involved have confirmed their intention to invest equity in the project, with Gridworks as the primary equity investor and majority shareholder. Discussions are underway with Zambian entities regarding potential participation in the project. EnPower, a Congolese electricity trader and SAPP member, is the project developer. Gridworks, a developer specializing in electricity transmission and distribution, is owned by British International Investment, the UK government's development finance institution.
Trafigura, a major player in the global commodities industry, has agreed to organize a significant portion of the project's debt financing. For FIS-RDC, the transaction aligns with the Congolese government's objective of investing in strategic infrastructure with broader economic benefits. This is FIS-RDC's first announced investment since its creation in October 2025. The project is expected to address the Democratic Republic of Congo's structural energy deficit of over 1 GW.
The KKIP project is expected to have numerous benefits for the Democratic Republic of Congo, including providing electricity to the mining and industrial sectors, unlocking stalled mining and refining projects, increasing production and generating revenue, and expanding access to reliable and affordable energy for local communities and businesses. The project will also create opportunities for Zambian electricity producers to export power and stimulate the development of new generation capacities.
The investment in the KKIP project reflects the commitment of the parties involved to support the development of strategic infrastructure in the region. Emile Osumba, CEO of FIS-RDC, stated that the project aligns with the fund's mandate to invest in strategic infrastructure. Marc Orphanides, CEO of EnPower, added that the agreement marks a significant step towards the realization of this strategic transmission infrastructure. Gonzalo De Olazaval, Global Head of Metals and Minerals at Trafigura, and Chris Flavin, CEO of Gridworks, also expressed their support for the project.
Key points
- The project will bring affordable energy to the Copperbelt region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The KKIP project will strengthen the connection of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Southern African Power Pool.
- The project is expected to unlock new mining and industrial capacities in the region.
