World Bank promotes electricity access in Congo

Jill Biden, left, the wife of American Vice-President Joe Biden looks at a school project in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Friday, July 4, 2014. AP

KINSHASA, Congo — The World Bank has announced a $100-million donation to boost Congo’s agriculture sector and another $100-million for micro-dams to bolster rural electricity access.

World Bank Vice President Makhtar Diop made the announcement at a press conference Sunday alongside Congo Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo.

The announcement came at the close of a three-day visit during which Diop visited the construction site for the Inga III dam, a massive hydropower project. The World Bank granted $73.1 million to build the dam in March.

The World Bank says Congo’s hydropower potential is estimated to be the world’s third-largest behind China and Russia.

Diop also visited an agro-industrial park 135 miles (220 kilometers) east of Kinshasa. He pledged a separate grant of $76 million to combat sexual violence.

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