Africa-Press – Angola. After completing the studies, licensing and financial structuring of the Soyo–Inga–Cabinda and Laúca–Kolwezi lines, Somagec, through its subsidiary, Meridia Energy, expects to begin construction in 2026.
The company has reached key milestones in the development of two of Southern Africa’s most ambitious energy interconnection projects: the Soyo–Inga–Cabinda and Laúca–Kolwezi transmission lines.
These initiatives aim to strengthen Angola’s position as a regional energy supplier,
promote energy integration with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and develop internal infrastructure without resorting to public debt.
The two major projects have the support of the RNT and the Ministry of Energy and Water, and their development was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the RNT – National Electricity Transport Network, in Luanda, at the Epic Sana Hotel, in January 2025. In addition to the support and approval of Angola, via Presidential decree, the
projects have the support of the DRC Government, with all approvals already obtained
including irrevocable approval from Ecofin and the Council of Ministers for the concessions of both lines.
The first project connects the Angolan city of Soyo to the province of Cabinda, passing through Matadi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This high-voltage transmission line will be built exclusively with private investment.
The infrastructure aims not only to strengthen Angolan energy exports, but also to ensure the supply of Cabinda province through the national grid, something unprecedented until now.
Laúca – Saurimo – Kolwezi: strategic line for industrialization, regional electrification and dynamization of the Lobito Corridor
The second project—over 1,200 km long—will connect the Laúca hydroelectric plant to the mining hub of Kolwezi in the DRC, passing through Saurimo and Luau in Angola. The line aims to supply the industrial and mining heartland of the DRC with reliable and clean energy, while also structurally electrifying eastern Angola.
The arrival of the line in Saurimo will allow the development of the province of Lunda Sul through private investment in energy infrastructure, replacing dependence on
public financing or sovereign debt. The strategy is considered a sustainable and fiscally responsible development model.
Like the Soyo–Cabinda project, the studies are finalized, with capital and
financing guaranteed by Somagec and European, American, and African institutional investors. Somagec stands out as one of the few private entities developing transnational power transmission infrastructure in Africa with financing
entirely private.
It is important to emphasize that both projects will have a direct impact on Angola’s balance of payments, the fiscal stability of the electricity sector, GDP growth in both countries, job creation, and the promotion of new economic zones with a solid energy base.
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