Congo to Lift Cobalt Export Ban, Set Quotas From Oct 16

Monday 22nd September 2025

by inAfrika Newsroom

DRC cobalt quotas will replace the current export ban from October 16, the country’s strategic minerals regulator said on Sunday. Congo will allow shipments again but cap volumes by year to manage supply and prices. The move ends a months-long halt that disrupted flows from the world’s top producer.

DRC cobalt quotas: what changes Oct 16

The regulator set a limit of 18,125 tonnes for the rest of 2025. Annual caps of 96,600 tonnes will apply in 2026 and 2027. Congo suspended exports in February after prices fell to a nine-year low and extended the measure in June. The country supplied about 70% of global output last year.

Quotas will be allocated using firms’ historical exports. Authorities said they can revise caps if market conditions shift or if local refining advances faster than expected. They reserved 10% of future volumes for strategic national projects.

Market impact for miners and buyers

Major producers invoked force majeure during the ban. The regulator said the new system has support from Glencore but faces pushback from CMOC. Officials argue quotas will curb inventories and steady prices. Buyers still face traceability hurdles from artisanal output, which remains a large share of supply.

The change comes amid conflict in eastern Congo. The government says illegal mineral extraction funds M23 rebels. Export controls now include buy-back options if a company exceeds quarterly limits. That tool aims to police flows while avoiding long shutdowns.

What to watch next

Companies must align shipping plans with quarterly quotas. Traders will track any guidance on domestic processing and the pace of permit clearances. Market focus sits on how quickly stocks move from depots to ports and whether prices firm as supply normalizes under caps