(3-minute read)
The Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics held a technical working session on November 19 in Brazzaville, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Union of Economic Operators of Congo (UNOC). The meeting focused on mobilizing financial and technical support for the Rural Electrification Program (PEZor), a national initiative aimed at accelerating universal access to electricity, particularly in rural communities.
The meeting’s objective was to establish a structured platform to involve Chinese companies and institutions in supporting the funding, expertise, and deployment of the PEZor pilot phase, scheduled for 2026-2030.
Valued at nearly 211 billion CFA francs (approximately 373 million US dollars), the PEZor program was developed by the government with UNDP as the implementing partner. It consists of two main components: a micro-hydropower program — covering nineteen sites with capacities ranging from 31 kW to 5,000 kW across ten districts — and a solar program involving photovoltaic power plants and public lighting installations in fifty-eight districts.
During this hybrid meeting, significant co-investment opportunities were highlighted for the Chinese partners. It was emphasized that the energy sector is a fundamental pillar of economic and social development.
“Energy has become the backbone of any national development policy or structural economic strategy. Accelerating universal access to electricity by 2030 is at the heart of the United Nations agenda, with Sustainable Development Goal 7 underscoring that renewable energies are essential for improving global energy availability,” it was stated.
The urgent need for funding and partnerships to support PEZor was stressed, noting that rural electricity access is below 1% — a major obstacle to productivity, industrial growth, agricultural transformation, and rural development. The program’s three strategic pillars were presented: connecting the government, international investors, and the local private sector; facilitating crucial public-private partnerships for energy infrastructure; and supporting foreign enterprises, particularly Chinese firms, in their integration into the local economic landscape. The participation of Nova International was welcomed, citing its important role in connecting partners and mobilizing private investors.
The Chairperson of the Chinese group Nova International stated that her organization — representing about 2,500 chambers of commerce and over 100,000 companies, and active in several countries through the Belt and Road Initiative — aims to help identify collaborative solutions.
“We are here to find development pathways in Congo-Brazzaville. We are here to listen and work together towards a win-win partnership,” she affirmed. The Chief of Staff to the Minister of Energy and Hydraulics described the meeting as a key step to align Chinese financial and technical engagement with global development frameworks and the implementation of PEZor during its 2026-2030 pilot phase. He noted that the call to Chinese partners aims to build alliances to support the deployment of mini-hydropower and solar hybrid systems across the country.