Policies

Strategic reserve

Source: International Energy Agency
Last updated: 02 July 2026

In April 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) established a Strategic Reserve of Critical Minerals covering cobalt, coltan and germanium. 
The reserve is administered by the Regulatory and Control Authority for Strategic Mineral Substances (ARECOMS) and authorises the state to acquire, hold and market strategic minerals. Authorities described the reserve as a tool to help balance the market and manage future supply disruptions. 
The measure complements the DRC's existing cobalt export quota regime and provides the government with an additional mechanism to influence the availability of material reaching global markets.

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