Dr Adesina Urges Political Commitment for Inga 3 Dam Project

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, has emphasised the necessity of significant political commitment to initiate construction work on the Inga 3 dam in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Inga 3 dam has the potential to meet the power needs of numerous countries in central and southern Africa.

During a recent meeting with the Board of Directors of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), led by Chairman Ebrahim Rasool, Adesina stressed the importance of political coordination to move forward with the long-discussed Inga 3 project. He highlighted the potential benefits of Inga 3, particularly in addressing South Africa’s persistent energy shortages, which have adversely impacted the country’s economic performance.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa had previously championed the Inga 3 project at the Paris Summit on a New Global Financing Pact. Adesina echoed Ramaphosa’s call for collective financing of the project, emphasising its potential to generate electricity for 12 to 15 countries. He underscored the role of multilateral development banks in funding transformative projects like Inga 3.

Adesina also discussed the African Development Bank’s ongoing efforts to address energy challenges in the region, including financing projects like the Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric project in Mozambique. This project aims to generate 1,500 megawatts of electricity for South Africa, helping alleviate crippling power shortages.

In addition to energy challenges, Adesina highlighted other pressing issues in South Africa, such as poverty, unemployment, and infrastructure development. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the African Development Bank, DBSA, and other partners to tackle these challenges effectively.

Adesina outlined initiatives to support youth entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment, including the Bank’s Skills Enhancement Zones program and the Affirmative Finance for Women in Africa initiative (AFAWA). He also proposed a new business model to invest in primary health infrastructure across Africa, calling on DBSA to join this effort.

In response, DBSA Chairman Ebrahim Rasool expressed agreement with Adesina’s proposals and pressed the importance of delivering healthcare at the primary level. He affirmed DBSA’s commitment to collaborating with the African Development Bank to accelerate inclusive growth and development in South Africa and the Southern Africa region.

The meeting, attended by senior officials from both institutions, highlighted the shared commitment to addressing key development challenges and advancing regional cooperation in Africa.

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Source: African Development Bank