The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is seeking to secure a stake in a planned $270 million cross-border power transmission project with Zambia, as both countries move to address energy shortages in key mining regions and deepen regional electricity trade.
The proposed Kalumbila–Kolwezi Interconnector Project (KKIP), approved by Zambia’s energy regulator, will span about 200 kilometres linking Zambia’s North-Western Province to southern DRC, a region central to copper and cobalt production.
Zambia’s Energy Regulation Board described the project as a “major step toward strengthening regional power trade and advancing the government’s goal of attracting private sector investment in energy infrastructure.”
According to reports, the DRC government is now pushing to acquire an equity stake in the project, reflecting a broader trend of resource-rich African nations seeking greater control over strategic infrastructure tied to mining and energy supply.
The interconnector is expected to ease chronic electricity shortages that have affected mining operations in both countries. Zambia, which relies heavily on hydropower, has faced reduced generation due to drought, forcing authorities to ask mining firms to cut power use.
The new transmission line will allow Zambia to import electricity from the DRC’s largely untapped hydropower resources while also enabling two-way power trade. Officials say this will stabilise supply and reduce outages in mining-heavy areas.
“The project will connect Zambia’s power grid to the DRC,” with the line running from Kalumbila to Kolwezi, and linking to a substation at First Quantum Minerals’ Sentinel mine, a key asset in Zambia’s copper industry.
Industry stakeholders say the project is critical for supporting expanding mining activity in the Copperbelt region, where demand for reliable electricity continues to rise alongside global demand for critical minerals used in clean energy technologies.
The KKIP is being developed by Enterprise Power, marking what is described as the first privately developed cross-border electricity transmission line in sub-Saharan Africa. The project is also expected to operate under an open-access framework, allowing multiple energy traders to use the infrastructure.
“Although privately developed and funded, this will not be a ‘private’ line – it will be open to licensed power companies and enhance the competitiveness of the regional power market,” said Enterprise Power Zambia Managing Director Chilombo Kalenga.
Beyond addressing immediate power shortages, the project is part of a broader regional push to integrate electricity markets across Southern and Eastern Africa. It complements other initiatives such as the Zambia–Tanzania–Kenya interconnector, aimed at creating a more resilient and interconnected grid.
Energy experts note that cross-border projects like KKIP are increasingly vital as climate variability affects hydropower reliability and as mining sectors expand rapidly in both countries.
By securing a stake in the project, the DRC aims to ensure long-term access to electricity for its mining sector while also benefiting financially from the infrastructure. The move underscores a growing emphasis on energy security and resource sovereignty across Africa’s mineral-rich economies.
The project is expected to be completed within the next few years, with proponents arguing it could play a pivotal role in unlocking further investment and sustaining growth in one of the world’s most important mining corridors.