DRC Aims to Transform Battery Supply Chain
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is looking to shift its focus from exporting raw materials to processing them locally to enhance economic benefits.
And Zambia’s Minister of Mines, Paul Chanda Kabuswe, emphasized the importance of moving up the value chain to benefit local communities during the recent DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum.
Congo currently holds a significant share of global cobalt production, mainly exporting the metal for battery manufacturing. Both Congo and Zambia have plans to establish a special economic zone for processing raw materials into preliminary products for the battery supply chain. The DRC aims to become a major battery producer by 2030 or 2040.
International stakeholders, including the US, EU, Canada, and China, are closely monitoring the DRC’s efforts to challenge the raw material export model.
Building an ecosystem that encompasses skilled workers, infrastructure, and electricity for large production plants is crucial for this transition.
While many companies are taking a wait-and-see approach, Chinese firms are expressing interest in supporting the DRC’s plans for local processing.
CMOC, a Chinese group with mining operations in Congo, views this development as promising and aims to reduce logistics costs while promoting industrial development in the Congo.
