Kinshasa, January 20th, 2026 (CPA). – The price of a tonne of cobalt, a mining export product of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has increased by 0.08% on the international market, trading at USD 53,580.00 on January 19th, 2026, compared to USD 53,534.00 the previous week, according to market reports consulted on Tuesday by CPA.
‘The price of a tonne of cobalt experiences an increase 0.08% on the international markets during the period from January 19th to 24th, 2026, trading at USD 53,580.00 during the week under review, compared to USD 53,534.00 the previous week,’ it is read in the foreign trade market reports. It should be noted that cobalt is steadily rising towards its 2018 value, when it has approached USD 98,000 per tonne since the resumption of its commercialisation after a suspension of more than six months.
The rise, fall and stability of prices for commercial mining, agricultural and forestry products are a result of supply and demand on international markets and the supply chain. These variations have a direct impact on the Congolese economy, which is heavily dependent on raw material exports, particularly in the mining sector. Cobalt is mainly mined in the province of Lualaba, in the south-east of the country, around the town of Kolwezi, as well as in Haut-Katanga. Lualaba accounts for around 80% of national cobalt production. In addition to the deposits in Haut-Katanga and Lualaba, cobalt is also found in other areas of DRC.