While the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is famously the world’s top cobalt producer, its story is far more dynamic than just supplying a critical battery mineral. New research reveals that Congolese leaders, from national ministers to provincial governors, actively shape the global market through policy decisions and export controls. This influence creates ripple effects across international supply chains, directly affecting the electric vehicle industry. However, this political power has not translated into widespread local prosperity, as many Congolese miners continue to face poverty and hazardous conditions. The global clean energy transition, therefore, is not just a tale of technology but also of local politics, proving that the future of batteries is being forged as much in African mining towns as in overseas labs.
The Conversation
