KINSHASA, September 21 – In a move signaling a more sophisticated approach to managing its vast mineral wealth, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) today announced the end of its cobalt export ban in favor of a meticulously planned quota system. The shift, effective mid-October, aims to maximize national value from the critical battery metal while asserting greater control over the global supply chain.

According to ARECOMS, the regulatory body, the decision to transition from a full ban to a quota regime was taken after achieving the initial goal of price recovery. Cobalt prices have rebounded over 60% since the ban began in February. "The market conditions now allow for a more nuanced instrument than a complete halt," stated an ARECOMS official. "The quota system provides stability and predictability for both the government and international partners."

A key feature of the new policy is the allocation of 10% of the total annual export quota—9,600 tons—to ARECOMS for "national strategic priority projects." This clause points to Congo's ambition to move up the value chain, potentially investing in domestic battery precursor production or using the resource as leverage for international partnerships.

The decision has been met with a divided response from industry players. While some major producers supported the government's market-stabilizing intent, others expressed concerns about the complexity and potential for bureaucratic delays. "A quota system requires robust administration and transparency to be effective. The devil will be in the implementation details," cautioned a mining executive based in Lubumbashi.

Globally, the move reinforces the geopolitical significance of critical minerals. Western and Asian economies seeking to secure clean energy supplies are now compelled to engage with the DRC not just as a source of raw materials, but as a strategic partner with its own industrial agenda. This policy solidifies the DRC's position as the undeniable swing producer in cobalt, whose domestic decisions will continue to reverberate through boardrooms and government halls from Beijing to Brussels and Washington.