Africa’s AI Powerhouse? — Congo Bets Big on Inga to Fuel the Data Revolution”

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is pitching a bold new role on the global tech stage: powering the future of artificial intelligence (AI).
With the rise of energy-hungry AI data centers, the country is promoting its colossal Grand Inga hydroelectric complex as the world’s green solution to computing’s growing power demands. The Inga site on the Congo River, already home to two aging dams, holds staggering potential — up to 44 gigawatts, nearly double China’s Three Gorges Dam. The planned Inga III phase alone could deliver 11,000 megawatts, more than triple Congo’s current electricity capacity.
As global AI data centers drive demand for cheap, clean, high-capacity power, Congo’s leaders see a unique opportunity. “You would not have a better place than Inga for a data center,” said Bob Mabiala Mvumbi, head of the Inga Development Agency, citing abundant water, vast energy reserves, and fibre connectivity. Major players like OpenAI, Oracle, and Google are already investing in Africa’s data infrastructure, while the World Bank has pledged $1 billion — $250 million earmarked for Inga III.
With global AI infrastructure expected to need 327 gigawatts by 2030, Congo’s hydro potential offers a rare combination: green energy at massive scale. Still, the path forward isn’t without hurdles — logistics, financing, and political uncertainty loom large. Yet if realized, Grand Inga could turn Congo from one of the world’s poorest nations into a keystone of the digital future.