The treaty has been developed to allow the two countries to explore different financial options to build the project, and to act as an enabling framework.

The project may be developed in phases, Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi told local media.

South Africa and DRC signed an agreement in November 2011 desgined to pave the way for the national utilities of the both countries – Eskom and Societe Nationale d’Electricite Societe a Responsibilite Limitee National (SNEL) – to facilitate the project.