Photo: Christina Bergey derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
DR Congo: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
DR Congo is placed 53rd of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 27.64 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 100 (2024).
Share
Energy
53rd
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place DR Congo on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
27.64
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
DR Congo: 27.64. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Middle Africa
- 27.64 DR Congo
- Land neighbours
- Angola 185.06 · Burundi 183.67 · Republic of the Congo 715.57 · Rwanda 361.95 · South Sudan 646.43 · Tanzania 343.89 · Uganda 58.52 · Zambia 125.76
100
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
DR Congo: 100. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Middle Africa
- 100 DR Congo
- Land neighbours
- Angola 73.7 · Burundi 75.51 · Republic of the Congo 20.88 · Rwanda 49.56 · South Sudan 1.786 · Tanzania 32.92 · Uganda 97.07 · Zambia 87.47
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
33.5
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 98th of 99 by World Energy Council
DR Congo: 33.5. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in Middle Africa
- 58.8 Gabon
- Land neighbours
- Angola 58.4 · Tanzania 39.9 · Zambia 41.8
02Over time
Which way DR Congo is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
DR CongoWorld median
DR Congo rose from 23.74 in 2000 to 27.64 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year DR Congo World median 2024 27.638 433.7 2023 27.255 452.7 2022 27.172 476.3 2021 25.652 469.0 2020 24.500 482.0 2019 24.512 488.2 2018 24.570 500.4 2017 24.628 506.3 2016 24.501 521.9 2015 24.434 524.8 2014 24.371 522.3 2013 24.510 508.8 2012 24.601 525.4 2011 30.307 521.4 2010 30.268 515.5 2009 30.346 533.6 2008 31.425 517.2 2007 30.268 535.3 2006 27.600 537.5 2005 24.693 521.4 2004 24.644 523.1 2003 24.877 543.1 2002 24.752 551.3 2001 24.831 559.3 2000 23.737 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
DR CongoWorld median
DR Congo was at 100 in both 2000 and 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year DR Congo World median 2024 100.000 32.062 2023 100.000 28.000 2022 100.000 28.881 2021 100.000 28.286 2020 99.920 27.125 2019 99.915 26.296 2018 99.904 25.505 2017 99.894 24.023 2016 99.889 22.218 2015 99.887 21.915 2014 99.886 21.151 2013 99.877 21.593 2012 99.867 19.869 2011 98.849 18.584 2010 98.851 18.572 2009 98.848 17.886 2008 98.668 15.923 2007 98.851 15.586 2006 99.333 15.392 2005 99.864 16.438 2004 99.858 16.445 2003 99.836 16.339 2002 99.835 13.826 2001 99.831 14.023 2000 100.000 15.612
03In context
DR Congo beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
DR Congo and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Uganda | 3rd | 58.52 | 97.07 | — |
 Burundi | =28th | 183.67 | 75.51 | — |
| DR Congo | 53rd | 27.64 | 100 | 33.5 |
 Angola | 60th | 185.06 | 73.7 | 58.4 |
 Rwanda | 62nd | 361.95 | 49.56 | — |
 Zambia | 63rd | 125.76 | 87.47 | 41.8 |
 Tanzania | =98th | 343.89 | 32.92 | 39.9 |
 Republic of the Congo | =137th | 715.57 | 20.88 | — |
 South Sudan | 154th | 646.43 | 1.786 | — |
 Central African Republic | not placed | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Middle Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below DR Congo in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where DR Congo is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median5
Statistics on which DR Congo does better than the middle country measured.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.210.0543.21No real change since 2014
DR Congo: 0.054 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 210th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3210037.32▲ Improved since 2014
DR Congo: 100 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 1st of 162 · derived.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7380.9642.738▲ Improved since 2014
DR Congo: 0.964 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27915.775.279▲ Improved since 2014
DR Congo: 15.77 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
RISE Clean Cooking Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 29.7236.3929.72▲ Improved since 2013
DR Congo: 36.39 · world median 29.72 · Clean cooking policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 80.69; higher is better.
Behind the world median7
Statistics on which DR Congo does worse than the middle country measured.
RISE Electricity Access Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 65.6754.8165.67▼ Worsened since 2013
DR Congo: 54.81 · world median 65.67 · Electricity access policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 9.471 to 90.47; higher is better.
Position 38th of 56 · derived.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8540.6724.85No earlier reading
DR Congo: 40.67 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2616.3933.26▼ Worsened since 2013
DR Congo: 16.39 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7749.5325.77No earlier reading
DR Congo: 49.53 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 26th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2314.0148.23▼ Worsened since 2013
DR Congo: 14.01 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10022.5100No real change since 2014
DR Congo: 22.5 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 1001100No real change since 2015
DR Congo: 1 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
DR Congo: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end12
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.8584.1712.85Moved since 2014
DR Congo: 84.17 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04915.773.049Moved since 2014
DR Congo: 15.77 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 09.0450Moved since 2014
DR Congo: 9.045 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 0160No real change since 2015
DR Congo: 16 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.0910.077No real change since 2014
DR Congo: 0.091 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2734.2564.273No earlier reading
DR Congo: 4.256 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
DR Congo: 0 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.0250.144Moved since 2014
DR Congo: 0.025 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 000Moved since 2014
DR Congo: 0 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58502.585Moved since 2014
DR Congo: 0 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5250525No earlier reading
DR Congo: 0 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.51.06649.5Moved since 2014
DR Congo: 1.066 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
No current reading for DR Congo
Operating Wind Power Capacity and Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2023). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among DR Congo’s 15 topics
Energy is DR Congo’s 2nd best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability8th of 1864/4 keys
- Energy53rd of 1653/3 keys
- Gender & Equality130th of 1834/4 keys
- Work & Labour137th of 1824/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties159th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Security144th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technology166th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience180th of 1934/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions182nd of 1944/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade167th of 1773/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital187th of 1963/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation172nd of 1764/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture181st of 1844/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 197th of 2004/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality157th of 1593/3 keys
No standing on Education & Knowledge: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders DR Congo can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Uganda3rd2/3 keysHighest in Middle Africa
DR Congo53rd3/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
DR Congo on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does DR Congo rank on energy?
DR Congo is placed 53rd of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation and World Energy Trilemma Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for DR Congo?
27.64 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for DR Congo?
100 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does DR Congo compare with Tanzania on energy?
Tanzania is placed joint 98th of 165, and DR Congo 53rd. Carbon Intensity of Electricity: Tanzania 343.89, DR Congo 27.64; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation: Tanzania 32.92, DR Congo 100; World Energy Trilemma Index: Tanzania 39.9, DR Congo 33.5.
How have DR Congo’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity rose from 23.74 in 2000 to 27.64 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation was 100 in both 2000 and 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for DR Congo?
No current reading is published for DR Congo on Operating Wind Power Capacity and Primary Schools with Electricity. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 7 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
DR Congo’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- DR Congo (banner) — Christina Bergey derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). DR Congo: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/dr-congo/energy