Congo’s Power and Water Build-Out Takes Shape as Minister Itoua Heads to AEW 2026

The Republic of Congo’s efforts to expand reliable electricity and water services will come into focus at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, with Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Energy and Hydraulics, set to speak at the event in Cape Town from October 12–16. His participation comes as the newly restructured ministry develops a roadmap focused on improving power and water services, modernizing public utilities and preparing infrastructure projects for greater investment.

The electricity sector is already undergoing a major reform program. In August, Itoua presided over the presentation of a diagnostic of state utility Énergie Électrique du Congo (E²C), with the government working toward a recovery plan backed by a performance contract. The program includes rehabilitation and expansion of transmission and distribution networks in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, alongside the progressive introduction of smart prepaid meters. Congo’s national energy pact targets electricity access of 90% in urban areas and 50% in rural areas by 2030, with universal access targeted for 2035.

The reform agenda is also attracting institutional and private-sector support. The World Bank’s $100 million Strengthening Electricity Services Project is designed to improve electricity-service quality and access while strengthening transmission and distribution performance. In September, the Bank opened a preliminary market consultation for the procurement of 414,000 smart and communicating meters for government facilities, E²C and electricity customers in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.

Infrastructure expansion is already producing tangible results beyond the two main cities. In July, Mossaka was connected to the national interconnected grid through a new high-voltage substation, providing the town with continuous electricity supply and extending the reach of Congo’s national network. The African Development Bank has also reaffirmed its willingness to support the preparation and financing of new electricity projects, with discussions in August covering feasibility studies, sector reforms and investment mobilisation.

Water infrastructure forms the other half of Minister Itoua’s mandate. In June, he launched a China-funded program to construct potable-water boreholes at five schools in Brazzaville, while a visit to the Djoué water facilities highlighted the Djoué 2 project, which is intended to increase potable-water production for the capital.

“Reliable electricity and access to water are fundamental to Africa’s economic development, and Congo is showing that these challenges require investment in infrastructure as well as reforms that improve the performance of public utilities,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Minister Itoua’s participation at AEW 2026 will provide an important opportunity to connect Congo’s electricity and water priorities with the investors, technology providers and development partners needed to turn these projects into functioning infrastructure that serves households and businesses.”

At AEW 2026, Minister Itoua will bring the country’s electricity and water agenda directly to an international audience as Congo seeks to improve service delivery, expand access and develop a more bankable pipeline of infrastructure projects.