Electricity law reform: civil society raises concerns

On February 5, 2025, an ordinance amending the electricity law in the Democratic Republic of Congo was promulgated, raising serious concerns among stakeholders in the sector. The Congolese Association for Renewable and Decentralized Energy (ACERD asbl) and the Mwangaza Network, in a letter to the Presidency, denounced a rushed adoption of the measure, carried out without consultation with key actors.

While there is broad agreement on the need for reforms to improve access to electricity and attract investment, the new provisions risk creating overlapping mandates, adding bureaucratic hurdles, and increasing tax burdens — all of which could hinder the sector’s growth.

The organizations are urging the Presidency to halt the ordinance’s transmission for publication in the Official Gazette and to initiate inclusive consultations aimed at producing a more effective and well-adapted regulatory framework. With electricity being a critical driver of socio-economic development, they stress that any reform must be grounded in thorough dialogue with all concerned stakeholders.

The letter is only available in french.