At the Cobalt Institute’s 8th Annual Conference held in Singapore, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) underscored its vital role in the global energy transition, with Mines Minister Kizito Pakabomba reaffirming the nation’s position as the world’s leading source of cobalt.
Minister Pakabomba highlighted that the DRC supplies over 70% of the world’s cobalt—an essential component in the batteries that power electric vehicles and renewable energy systems—positioning the country at the heart of 21st-century energy solutions.
Speaking to a distinguished audience of mining executives, industry stakeholders, and investors, the Minister emphasized the DRC government’s commitment to responsible mining practices, with a strong focus on traceability and local value addition. He outlined five key pillars of the country’s mining diversification strategy:
- Expanding international partnerships
- Diversifying its mineral base
- Opening up new mining zones
- Increasing local processing capacity
- Strengthening the national economy through mineral development
Notably, Pakabomba pointed to recent policy moves, such as the temporary suspension of raw cobalt exports and enhanced traceability measures led by state-owned Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC), as part of broader efforts to regain control of the country’s position in global supply chains.
Dinah McLeod, Director General of the Cobalt Institute, welcomed the participation of the DRC and other official delegations, particularly from Indonesia, noting that their presence signaled growing international collaboration. She underscored cobalt’s strategic importance in the global energy transition and reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to sustainable and transparent practices across the entire cobalt value chain.
“This conference offers a critical platform to address shared challenges across the sector—from ethical sourcing to environmental responsibility—while fostering global cooperation built on respect for human rights,” McLeod said.
Held from May 14 to 15, 2025, the conference convened leading voices to discuss the evolving landscape of cobalt production, the urgent need for ethical and traceable supply chains, and opportunities to strengthen ties between cobalt-producing and consuming nations.