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Commodity trader, Trafigura, has reportedly withdrawn from a proposed 2,000-megawatt regional power transmission project that was expected to supply electricity from Angola to mining operations in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), casting uncertainty over one of the region’s key energy initiatives.
According to the latest Access Bank Group Market Commentary, the project was unveiled in 2024 through a partnership involving Trafigura, engineering firm ProMarks and the Angolan government to transmit surplus hydropower from Angola to energy-intensive copper and cobalt mines in Zambia and the DRC.
The bank said Trafigura’s exit had raised questions over the future of the project, although Angolan authorities are reportedly considering restructuring the consortium to keep the initiative on track.
“Trafigura’s withdrawal has cast doubt over the future of the project, although Angolan authorities are reportedly exploring changes to the consortium in an effort to keep the initiative alive,” the commentary said.
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The proposed transmission network was intended to help ease chronic electricity shortages that have constrained mining production and investment across Southern and Central Africa.
Despite the setback, Access Bank said efforts to strengthen regional energy infrastructure remain underway through other cross-border projects.
These include Meridia Energy’s proposed transmission lines connecting Angola to the DRC’s mining centre of Kolwezi and HYDRO-LINK’s planned Angola-DRC power interconnector.
The bank said continued progress on these projects demonstrated sustained efforts to improve electricity supply for Africa’s growing mining industry.
Reliable power remained critical for Zambia and the DRC, two of the world’s largest producers of copper and cobalt, as both countries seek to expand mineral production to meet rising global demand driven by the energy transition.
Access Bank said investment in regional power infrastructure would remain essential to supporting mining expansion, improving energy security and unlocking the full potential of the region’s critical minerals sector.
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