Congo Prolongs Suspension on Cobalt Exports for Three More Months

Edited by:  Reda El Ghazal

The global cobalt market faces ongoing volatility as the Democratic Republic of Congo has opted to continue its moratorium on cobalt shipments abroad. The extension, which will last three additional months, reflects concerns about persistent oversupply in the sector and follows an earlier halt initiated in February after values dropped to their lowest point in nearly ten years.

Market regulators in Kinshasa explained that elevated inventory levels necessitated a renewed pause in outbound cobalt flows. By keeping more material within the country, authorities seek to relieve pressure on international prices and stabilize returns for local producers. This regulatory stance underscores the country’s central role in the electric vehicle supply chain, as Congo remains the primary provider of cobalt for battery manufacturers worldwide.

Throughout the coming quarter, officials plan to reassess their export strategy. Among the ideas under consideration is the introduction of allocation quotas, which would determine how much cobalt each company could dispatch overseas. While this proposal has found favor among major mining entities such as Glencore, the leading industry player from China, CMOC Group, has argued for an immediate end to the export freeze to accelerate global trade flows.

Final decisions regarding the future of the export restrictions are expected before the conclusion of the newly announced period in September. Authorities have indicated that all policy options remain open, from further extensions to a possible full reopening of the market, as they monitor both international demand and industry feedback.