At the request of Her Excellency, the Governor of Lualaba Province (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Mrs. Fifi Masuka, an inspection and full report were commissioned to assess the modernization of Kolwezi International Airport’s runway lighting system. The visit provided technical guidance to the Governor, the Civil Aviation Authorities, and Airport Manager Madam Jeanne Ditend on the feasibility of introducing solar-powered airfield lighting as a modern, sustainable, and ICAO-compliant solution.
The findings recommended the deployment of a permanent solar-powered runway lighting system, tailored to the airport’s operational requirements.
Kolwezi Airport needed a reliable lighting system capable of withstanding tough Congo weather conditions while supporting growing night-time traffic. The airport is a key driver of regional development, so implementing a compliant, off-grid solution was essential.
The main challenge was to install the system without disrupting daily flight operations. This required close coordination between Sunsolutions Aeronautics, the local partner Kolela Trading, airport staff, and the Civil Aviation Authorities. In addition, hands-on training was critical to ensure that the system could be properly operated and maintained by local personnel.
In 2025, Sunsolutions Aeronautics, in collaboration with Kolela Trading (DRC), successfully installed the S4GA solar-powered Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) system at Kolwezi International Airport.
The system represents a historic milestone as the first permanent solar runway lighting system in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fully ICAO-compliant, the S4GA solution provides:
The deployment of the solar AGL system at Kolwezi International Airport sets a new precedent for sustainable aviation infrastructure in the DRC.
Operational Impact: The airport is now equipped with a fully functional runway lighting system that improves operational safety and efficiency.
Government Leadership: The Governor’s initiative has demonstrated leadership in modernizing regional infrastructure while prioritizing sustainability.
Sustainability: The project eliminates dependency on the unreliable national grid and reduces carbon emissions.
Capacity Building: Local staff received training, ensuring long-term self-sufficiency in system operation and maintenance.
This project not only strengthens the aviation sector in Lualaba but also paves the way for similar sustainable infrastructure projects across
the Democratic Republic of Congo.
