The marketing of cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a major issue for the country, but also for the global economy. Indeed, the DRC is the largest producer of cobalt in the world, with production exceeding 144,000 tonnes in 2022. However, despite this leading position, the country does not benefit sufficiently from the exploitation of this strategic mineral. .
The President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, became aware of this situation and encouraged his government to put in place urgent measures aimed at better regulating the marketing of cobalt and increasing revenues from its export. He thus instructed the Ministers of Finance and Mines to finalize all the draft interministerial orders initiated by the Ministry of Finance and the coordination of the Prime Minister.
This political will to better control the marketing of cobalt is essential for several reasons. First of all, cobalt is a strategic mineral widely used in industry, notably in the production of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and electronic devices. With the exponential growth of cobalt mining and the growing demand for electric vehicles, it is crucial that the DRC can fully benefit from this resource.
Then, promoting the marketing of cobalt would allow the DRC to generate more revenue and strengthen its economy. Currently, multinationals mining cobalt in the DRC are recording record numbers, while the country itself benefits very little from this exploitation. It is therefore time to rebalance this dynamic and ensure that the country gets the most out of its natural resources.
To achieve this goal, it is essential to regulate and control the supply, pricing and export of cobalt. This will limit illegal practices, such as mineral trafficking, and ensure transparent and equitable management of this resource. By increasing revenues from the export of cobalt, the DRC will be able to invest in economic and social development programs, thus improving the living conditions of its population.
In conclusion, the marketing of cobalt in the DRC is a crucial issue for the country and for the world economy. President Félix Tshisekedi became aware of this importance and called for urgent measures to better regulate this activity. By regulating and controlling the supply, pricing and export of cobalt, the DRC will be able to fully benefit from this resource and generate greater revenues, thus contributing to its economic and social development