River tidal turbines to improve access to essential services in rural areas

Pot@maï-242, the Congolese partner of the French association Pot@maï, has been trialing an innovative solution since 2021 to provide access to essential services in rural areas, using 100% renewable energy produced by river turbines and photovoltaic panels. The initiative draws on the strong hydrokinetic potential of the Congo’s rivers to produce reliable electricity without heavy infrastructure or distribution networks. This energy locally powers an Essential Services Unit, 75% of which is managed by women from the village and designed with them to meet their priorities: drinking water production, cold chain, food processing, telecommunications, crafts, and training. On the cross-border island of Mbamou (between Congo and the DRC, on the Congo River), this unit also provides skills training, literacy classes, and workshops on recycling plastic waste recovered from the river. Our approach extends to other basins: Kibangou and Kimbedi, on the Niari River (projects underway), as well as in northern Congo, on the banks of the Congo River and the Alima River (studies underway). Our community-based model, which is flexible and commercially viable, enables concrete action against poverty, food insecurity, and exclusion while respecting river ecosystems and promoting cross-border cooperation.