The World Bank has pledged $1 billion to support the Democratic Republic of Congo as it prepares for the next phase of the Grand Inga hydropower project, an ambitious undertaking that could become the world’s largest energy facility.

The project’s third phase, known as Inga III, is expected to generate 11,000 megawatts of power, more than triple Congo’s current total electricity capacity.

From the pledged funds, $250 million will go directly toward Inga III, covering technical studies, supporting economic development, reforming the state-run electricity company, and attracting private developers to the project.

Located on the powerful Congo River, the Inga site has the potential to eventually produce 40,000 megawatts of electricity, nearly twice the output of China’s 22,500-megawatt Three Gorges Dam.

The massive infrastructure effort is part of the World Bank’s “Mission 300” program, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.

World Bank President Ajay Banga said the broader push could unlock as much as $85 billion in private investment.

Despite its immense potential, the Grand Inga project has faced decades of delays due to conflict, corruption, and high development costs.

Earlier phases, Inga I and II, were launched in 1972 and 1982, producing a combined 1,775 megawatts.

Congo’s government has announced a $36 billion energy development plan with the goal of tripling electricity access by 2030.

Currently, only about 20% of the country’s more than 100 million people have access to electricity.

With fresh financial backing and global attention, Congo is pushing to bring the long-dormant dream of the Grand Inga project back to life.