DRC Tightens Grip on Cobalt and Copper Exports Amid Great-Power Rivalry

Africa · Central Key Facts —Export Quotas. The DRC set annual cobalt export quotas at 96,600 metric tons for 2026 and 2027, less than half of 2024 output. —Chinese Dominance. Chinese state-owned enterprises control roughly 80 percent of the DRC’s cobalt output and up to 90 percent of global refining capacity. —Royalty Pre-Payment. Exporters must…