At the opening of the Cobalt Institute’s 8th Annual Conference in Singapore, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba, emphasized the country’s pivotal role in the global energy transition.
He noted that over 70% of the world’s cobalt originates from the DRC, underscoring its strategic importance in meeting the energy challenges of the 21st century.
Addressing a gathering of industry experts, mining operators, and investors, Minister Pakabomba reaffirmed the DRC government’s commitment to promoting traceability of critical minerals.
This, he said, is part of a broader effort to strengthen local processing and ensure greater economic benefits for the Congolese people.
He outlined five pillars of the DRC’s mining policy diversification strategy: expanding international partnerships, diversifying mineral resources, developing new geographical areas, increasing the range of locally processed products, and enhancing the national economy.
He pointed to initiatives such as the temporary suspension of raw cobalt exports and the improved traceability system managed by the state-run Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) as key steps toward restoring the DRC’s sovereignty in global value chains.
Dinah McLeod, Director of the Cobalt Institute, welcomed the participation of official delegations, particularly from the DRC and Indonesia, calling their presence an honor for the institute.
She highlighted cobalt’s critical role in the energy transition and reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to ensuring traceability, accountability, and sustainable practices across the cobalt supply chain.
“This congress is a valuable opportunity to deepen discussions on the shared challenges facing our industry, in a spirit of collaboration and respect for human rights,” McLeod said.
Running from Wednesday, May 14 to Thursday, May 15, 2025, the conference brings together key stakeholders to explore sectoral challenges, including ethical value chains, environmental impact, and opportunities for cooperation between cobalt-producing and consuming nations.
