The Democratic Republic of Congo has taken a firm stand over its cobalt sector, announcing that it “will not be controlled by China” amid opposition to its new export quota system. The DRC, the world’s largest cobalt supplier providing around 70 percent of global demand, will replace its February export ban with controlled quotas: 18,125 tonnes for the rest of 2025 and 96,600 tonnes annually in 2026 and 2027. While Chinese firm CMOC opposes the limits, Kinshasa insists on sovereign control and aims to increase local cobalt processing to add value. The move signals the DRC’s determination to manage global supply and pricing.
