China will finance $9.4 billion worth of hydroelectric dam in Congo Republic, with construction expected to start in January 2025.
Spokesperson of the Congolese government, Thierry Moungalla said in a press conference on Wednesday, that the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics signed a memorandum of understanding with China Overseas Co Ltd for the development of the Sounda site.
“We finally have the materialisation of this project – long awaited – to strengthen the supply of electricity production,” he said.
He explained that the country hopes to produce 600 megawatts to 800 megawatts of electricity through the dam which will be built in the southern part of the country.
He further disclosed that the work is due to be completed in June 2030.
Beijing also financed the building of the Imboulou hydroelectric dam, Congo’s largest dam with a capacity of 120 MW located in the north of the capital Brazzaville.
China has reportedly built three hydroelectric dams in the Congo Republic since the country’s independence in 1960 including the Imboulou dam, Moukoukoulou dam in the south and Liouesso dam in the north.