Rwanda Leads Coltan Exports Amidst Concerns of Resource Exploitation in DRC
Over the past decade, Rwanda has consistently emerged as the world’s top exporter of coltan on five occasions, according to data compiled by the ECOFIN agency.
In 2023 alone, Rwanda exported 2,070 tonnes of coltan, surpassing the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) export volume of 1,918 tonnes.
Despite Rwanda’s recurrent dominance in recent years, the DRC remains the primary supplier of coltan, with cumulative export figures of 17,330 tonnes compared to Rwanda’s 15,374 tonnes over the past decade.
Coltan, a crucial mineral in the tech industry for devices like computers and smartphones, has drawn scrutiny due to its association with conflict and exploitation.
Rwanda has faced accusations of supporting rebel groups like the M23, allegedly to facilitate the illicit extraction of resources from Congolese territory.
The ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC has resulted in dire consequences for the Congolese population, including displacement, precarious living conditions, and widespread violence and abuse.
Numerous organizations have called for urgent action to halt the illicit exploitation of the DRC’s natural resources by neighboring countries like Rwanda.
Additionally, they urge the international community to play a more proactive role in fostering peace in the region, which continues to be destabilized by armed groups backed by external powers.
