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 the Kalumbila–Kolwezi Interconnector Project, known as KKIP. The Copperbelt power interconnector involves a 200km high-voltage power line connecting Kalumbila in Zambia with Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The project has reached the final stage of development, with all necessary concessions, licences and authorisations secured.
The Copperbelt power interconnector will strengthen the DRC’s connection to the Southern African Power Pool, the regional body that links national grids and enables cross-border power trading. With an estimated construction cost of USD300 million, the transmission line will carry a thermal capacity of 700MW, enabling up to 550MW of competitively priced electricity to be imported into the DRC’s Copperbelt mining region. Its design allows for future capacity expansion to more than 1GW.
- The Kalumbila Kolwezi Interconnector spans 200km between Zambia and the DRC
- All necessary concessions, licences and authorisations have been secured
- Estimated construction cost stands at USD300 million
- The line will carry 700MW thermal capacity, enabling up to 550MW of imports into the DRC
- Future capacity expansion to over 1GW is accommodated in the design
Project Financing and Equity Structure
FIS-RDC, EnPower and Gridworks have confirmed their intention to invest equity in the project. Gridworks, a specialist transmission and distribution developer owned and funded by British International Investment, is the lead equity investor and majority shareholder. Trafigura has agreed to arrange a significant share of the project’s debt financing. Discussions are underway with Zambian entities regarding a potential stake in the Copperbelt power interconnector.
EnPower serves as the project developer, a licensed Congolese power trader and a member of the Southern African Power Pool. KKIP is the first investment announced by FIS-RDC since its establishment in October 2025. The DRC faces a structural energy deficit of more than 1GW, and the project is expected to support mining and refining projects currently constrained by insufficient cost-effective baseload power. The Copperbelt power interconnector is also expected to increase mining and refining output and fiscal contributions.
Emile Osumba, CEO of FIS-RDC, said: “KKIP is the Fund’s inaugural transaction, and it reflects precisely the mandate entrusted to us by the Government. By helping close the Copperbelt’s power deficit, the project will unlock industrial growth, skilled jobs and fiscal revenue for the DRC. By backing a project led by a private Congolese developer, FIS-RDC is demonstrating that sovereign capital can act as a catalyst for private investment rather than a substitute for it. And by co-investing alongside credible and experienced partners such as Gridworks, we are building the track record that will allow the Fund to mobilise further capital for the country’s strategic infrastructure.”
Marc Orphanides, Managing Director of EnPower, added: “This agreement is an important milestone towards executing this strategic transmission infrastructure, which will add significant capacity to meet the ever-growing power demand of the DRC mining industry. We are grateful to the authorities, stakeholders and communities in the DRC and Zambia, as well as the International Finance Corporation, for their support to KKIP, which will be the first privately developed and financed cross-border transmission infrastructure on the African continent.”
Benefits for Zambia and Regional Power Markets
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.
- KKIP will open export routes for Zambian power producers
- Transmission capacity will be available for licensed operators
- Discussions on potential Zambian co-investment are underway
Gonzalo De Olazaval, Global Head of Metals and Minerals at Trafigura, commented: “Trafigura is proud to support this landmark power project in the DRC, part of our broader power strategy in Africa. Reliable, competitively priced power is a critical enabler of economic growth across the continent, and Trafigura is well placed to bring together the investment, infrastructure and partnerships needed to make these projects a reality. KKIP has the potential to unlock industrial growth in the DRC and Zambia, while also supporting job creation and local communities in both countries.”
Chris Flavin, CEO of Gridworks, said: “Gridworks is proud to be the lead equity investor in KKIP. This is an important regional integration project. Zambia and the DRC both stand to benefit from closer interconnection, and this project will give the Copperbelt access to reliable, competitively priced power and lay the foundation for further cross-border transmission investment across Southern Africa. While the project is anchored by mining offtake, there is capacity on the line to serve the wider population too. Connecting regional power markets and supporting efficient energy trading is key to sustained economic growth in the region. We look forward to working alongside our partners to deliver this important infrastructure.”
The Kalumbila Kolwezi Interconnector is expected to be the first privately developed and financed cross-border transmission infrastructure on the African continent.