Cobalt Prices in DRC Remain Stable with 35% Annual Gain, Boosting Mining Revenues
Cobalt, one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) most strategic exports, is maintaining steady momentum on international markets as August 2025 draws to a close.
According to projections from the Ministry of Foreign Trade’s National Commission for Prices, cobalt is expected to trade at US$32,643 per tonne during the week of August 25–31, compared with US$32,642 the previous week—a minimal but steady increase.
The Central Bank of Congo’s latest report, dated August 15, confirmed this stability, placing cobalt prices at around US$32,650 per tonne.
Compared with December 2024, cobalt has surged 35.8%, representing an annual increase of nearly 30%.
The DRC remains the world’s top cobalt producer, supplying around 70% of global output. National production reached 170,000 tonnes in 2024, largely from Lualaba and Haut-Katanga provinces, where major international mining firms are active.
Cobalt exports generated almost US$4 billion in revenue in 2024, strengthening the country’s trade balance and providing substantial fiscal contributions through mining taxes and royalties.
As a critical material for rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and electronics, cobalt is central to the global energy transition. For the DRC, this creates a strategic opportunity to move beyond raw material exports.
The government has announced plans to establish special economic zones dedicated to mineral processing, including cobalt, in partnership with international investors.
The initiative aims to position the DRC not just as a supplier of raw resources, but as a key player in the global battery and renewable energy value chain.
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