construction of the inga–shaba project provided the ministry of energy and the société nationale d'électricité (snel), with the means to promote further development activity throughout zaire, by attracting potential investors and overseas firms; however, there have been suggestions that well-placed officials in the mobutu government may have accepted gratuities at various critical junctures during the construction phase. as the republic became more indebted to overseas financial entities, the inga–shaba project ultimately accounted for approximately 20% of the former zaire's debt burden, the total amount of which was $5 billion at the time, according to a variety of credible sources.