The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is intensifying efforts to assert greater control over its cobalt sector—one of the world’s most strategic mineral resources—following a high-level meeting held on May 8, 2025, between the Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulume, and a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Calixte Ahokpossi.
The meeting was part of the IMF’s first review of the DRC’s Economic Program, backed by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF).
Key representatives from ARECOMS and the Technical and Coordination Unit of Mining Projects (CTCPM) also participated in the talks, which centered on cobalt sector governance.
Minister Pakabomba outlined sweeping reforms designed to improve transparency, traceability, and taxation within the cobalt industry.
He emphasized the recent activation of the Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC), the state-owned company tasked with regulating artisanal cobalt production and promoting responsible sourcing.
He also highlighted new regulatory adjustments meant to position the mining sector—particularly cobalt—as a driver of economic growth and a symbol of national sovereignty.
A pivotal topic of discussion was the DRC government’s recent suspension of raw cobalt exports. Minister Pakabomba described the move as a strategic decision to promote local processing, create jobs, and increase value addition within the country.
An evaluation of the policy’s impact is planned for three months after its enforcement. The Minister acknowledged that the transition could pose challenges and requested technical support from the IMF to help implement the necessary structural changes.
Strengthening IMF-DRC Collaboration on Cobalt
In response, IMF mission chief Calixte Ahokpossi praised the DRC’s commitment to reform, particularly in the mining sector.
He noted that cobalt is not only crucial for DRC’s public finances but also essential to global climate goals, as it plays a central role in batteries and clean energy technologies.
Both parties agreed to intensify their collaboration on improving mineral governance, taxation, and local industrialization of critical resources, especially cobalt.
This dialogue represents a significant milestone in the evolving partnership between the DRC and the IMF—anchored in the responsible, transparent, and sovereign management of the country’s cobalt wealth.
