The Democratic Republic of Congo holds the world’s largest reserves of cobalt, a mineral vital for electric vehicle batteries and clean energy technologies. But Kinshasa is sending a clear message: it will no longer be a passive supplier of raw materials.
President Félix Tshisekedi’s government is demanding that mineral deals translate into tangible development, local value addition, and fairer profits. This stance has complicated negotiations with the United States, which is racing to secure cobalt supplies amid intensifying competition with China.
