Congo Tightens Grip on Cobalt Exports with New Compliance Rules

Congo has introduced new export conditions for cobalt that add another layer of complexity to its recently established quota system. According to a joint circular from the mines and finance ministries dated November 26, exporters are now required to pre-pay a 10 percent royalty within 48 hours of filing origin and sales declarations, and to obtain a compliance certificate before shipments can move.

The rules also mandate quota verification, joint sampling, weighing and sealing of lots, and the issuance of a new Quota Verification Certificate (AVQ) by the Authority for the Regulation and Control of Strategic Mineral Substances’ Markets (ARECOMS). This AVQ must accompany all export documentation alongside certificates from multiple agencies, and shipments will be subject to physical inspections and multi-agency oversight.

The Democratic Republic of Congo replaced a months-long export ban with a quota system in October, aiming to boost state revenues and tighten oversight of a sector that supplies more than 70 percent of the world’s cobalt, a critical component in electric vehicle batteries. However, no shipments have moved since the ban was lifted, as producers work to interpret and comply with the new rules. For the fourth quarter of 2025, Congo allocated 18,125 metric tons of export quotas, with plans for 96,600 tons annually from 2026. China’s CMOC and Glencore received the largest quotas, while ARECOMS retained a 10 percent strategic reserve. The government has warned that non-compliance could result in severe penalties, including licence revocation.

Industry executives have expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding the new conditions, particularly whether the royalty payments will take into account amounts already paid before the ban. Analysts argue that Congo’s shifting rules create instability, with last-minute demands and complex paperwork likely to keep exports and prices volatile. Cobalt prices have already surged, trading around $24 a pound ($52,910 a ton), compared with $16 a pound ($35,275 a ton) in August, and rebounding from a nine-year low of $10 a pound in February when the ban was first introduced. Further supply insecurity could undermine battery demand, adding pressure to global markets.

Congo is simultaneously pursuing reforms to assert greater control over its mining sector. It recently launched its first batch of traceable artisanal cobalt and signed a partnership with Swiss commodity trader Mercuria to market cobalt, copper and other critical minerals. These moves reflect the government’s broader strategy to formalize artisanal mining, strengthen oversight, and maximize revenues from its vast mineral wealth.