Trafigura Expands Role in DRC’s Mineral Logistics and Processing
Trafigura Expands DRC Role in Copper and Cobalt Logistics, Processing and Lobito Corridor
Trafigura is strengthening its role in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s cobalt and copper value chains, with a growing focus on logistics, responsible mineral sourcing and the development of local processing capacity.
The commodities trader is working with the Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) and international partners to establish more integrated supply chains for Congolese critical minerals.
The strategy aims to improve traceability while connecting local production with major global markets.
A key part of Trafigura’s involvement is the Lobito Corridor, which provides the DRC with an alternative export route to the Atlantic through Angola.
The railway is expected to reduce transportation times and improve the reliability and competitiveness of mineral exports from the Copperbelt.
Trafigura is also involved in efforts to develop higher-value processing of Congolese cobalt.
Under a partnership with EGC and US-based EVelution Energy, Trafigura will provide logistics, commercial and international transport expertise, while EVelution plans to process Congolese cobalt in the United States into products such as cobalt sulphate and cobalt metal.
The partnership also provides for the exploration of local refining capacity in the DRC, technology transfer, skills development and mechanisms that could increase Congolese participation in the value chain.
For Kinshasa, the objective is to move beyond exporting raw or minimally processed minerals and capture a greater share of the value generated by the country’s vast copper and cobalt resources.
The DRC is the world’s leading cobalt producer and a major global source of copper, both of which are increasingly important to batteries, electric vehicles, renewable energy and advanced technologies.
Trafigura’s expanding role reflects the growing strategic importance of the DRC’s critical minerals and the competition among global powers to secure reliable supply chains.
The challenge for the DRC will be ensuring that improved logistics and international partnerships translate into local industrial development, technology transfer, employment and greater domestic value addition, rather than simply accelerating the export of minerals.
