DRC Reaffirms Cobalt Export Quota Policy to Boost Local Value
Democratic Republic of Congo Stands Firm on Cobalt Export Quotas to Control Prices and Promote Local Processing
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will maintain its newly announced cobalt export quota system, with potential revisions only possible in the long term if deemed necessary, the country’s mining minister confirmed.
Mining Minister Louis Watum Kabamba emphasized that Congo is focused on attracting investments that include more local processing of cobalt, aiming to increase the value of its exports.
“We cannot let others decide for us. Whether there is a stockpile or not is secondary. The most important thing is securing a fairer price,” Watum said during a seminar hosted by the Cobalt Institute in New York.
Congo, which supplied about 70% of global cobalt demand in 2024, is replacing an export ban introduced in February with a quota system starting October 16. The policy is designed to better manage supply and stabilize prices.
Under the system, miners will be allowed to export up to 18,125 tons of cobalt for the remainder of 2025, with annual caps set at 96,600 tons for both 2026 and 2027.
The quota framework is supported by Glencore, the world’s second-largest cobalt producer, but opposed by China’s CMOC, the leading global producer of the metal used in electric vehicle batteries. The total export limit is lower than CMOC’s production capacity, creating friction with the company.
“We will not be controlled by China or by anyone else. A country that supplies 70% of the world’s cobalt must have a say in determining its price,” Watum said.
While adjustments to the quota system may be considered in the future, no specific timeline has been set. Watum also noted that the government will continue reclaiming concessions from companies that fail to develop their mining assets.
