Keypoints:
- Export suspension extended by 3 months
- Move aims to curb oversupply, boost local value
- Cobalt market braces for prolonged disruption
THE Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has extended its suspension on cobalt exports by a further three months, intensifying its control over one of the world’s most strategic minerals. The move comes amid a continued glut in global stockpiles and forms part of a national drive to extract more value from the country’s vast mineral wealth.
In a statement issued Saturday, the Authority for the Regulation and Control of Strategic Mineral Substances’ Markets (ARECOMS) confirmed that the suspension would remain in effect due to ‘the continued high level of stock on the market’.
The ban, which initially came into force on February 22, was intended to stabilise cobalt prices, enforce supply chain transparency, and stimulate domestic mineral processing. The new extension brings the total duration of the export freeze to seven months.
ARECOMS added that a review would be conducted before the new deadline expires, and a decision would follow—potentially lifting, modifying, or further prolonging the measure.
Strategic pause in a volatile market
The DRC supplies more than 70 percent of the world’s cobalt, making it a critical player in the production of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, mobile devices, and other technologies. As demand for battery metals fluctuates, Kinshasa is increasingly leveraging its market dominance to reset global supply expectations.
While cobalt prices have suffered due to oversupply and slower-than-anticipated electric vehicle (EV) adoption in some regions, the DRC’s export halt is seen as a bold attempt to correct market imbalances—and redirect value back into the domestic economy.
A push for beneficiation at home
The government has made it clear that the export freeze is not just about prices. It’s part of a wider strategy to reduce raw material exports and strengthen local refining and value-added industries.
‘This extension provides a strategic window to align international market conditions with national development goals,’ ARECOMS said.
New refining plants are under construction in key mining hubs such as Kolwezi, with plans to build capacity that allows more cobalt to be processed and packaged within DRC borders—boosting job creation, revenue, and technological know-how.
This mirrors similar strategies seen in other mineral-rich countries such as Indonesia, which has banned raw nickel exports, and Zimbabwe, which imposed curbs on lithium concentrate shipments.
Global impact and industry response
For global manufacturers, particularly those in the EV and tech sectors, the DRC’s extended export suspension could deepen supply uncertainty. Industry watchers are already warning of tighter supplies in the second half of 2025, with stockpiles depleting and alternative suppliers unable to match DRC’s output.
Still, the policy has its supporters. ‘The DRC is no longer content to be just a pit stop in the global supply chain,’ said a Kinshasa-based analyst. ‘It’s moving to become a destination for processing, innovation, and higher-value exports.’
However, challenges remain. Despite its mineral dominance, DRC still lacks widespread industrial infrastructure. Experts caution that unless domestic refining facilities are fast-tracked, the policy may cause bottlenecks that hurt both local operators and international buyers.
Next steps
ARECOMS has promised another formal review before the current extension expires. Until then, traders, manufacturers, and market analysts will closely monitor Kinshasa’s strategy as a bellwether for how critical mineral supply chains are evolving amid growing calls for localisation and beneficiation.
With global demand for cobalt expected to surge again in the coming years, the DRC’s assertive position could mark a permanent shift in how raw materials are traded—and who reaps the greatest share of the value.
