Kinshasa, November 3rd, 2026 (CPA). – The price of a metric ton of used batteries, an export product of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), rose by 1.88% during the week of November 2nd, trading at USD 482.73 on the international market, compared with USD 473.79 the previous week, according to the price lists of the Ministry in charge of Foreign Trade consulted by CPA on Tuesday.
“The price of a metric tonne of used batteries recorded an increase on international markets during the week of 2 to 7 November 2026, trading at USD 482.73 compared with USD 473.79 the previous week, representing an increase of 1.88% per ton,” the document read.Fluctuations in the prices of mineral commodities, agricultural products and minor forest products, whether upward, downward or stable, are attributable to supply and demand on international markets, as well as to the supply chain, the document noted.
These fluctuations have a direct impact on the Congolese economy, which is heavily dependent on raw material exports, particularly in the mining sector. Used batteries are mainly intended for a “second life”, during which they are reused for energy storage before being recycled to recover valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel.
These materials are then reused in the manufacture of new batteries and other consumer products, thereby reducing dependence on mining extraction.
In the DRC, used batteries are found in urban areas and industrial centers, where consumer goods and economic activities are concentrated, particularly in Kinshasa and its surrounding areas, as well as around mines and mineral extraction sites.
However, the DRC is primarily known for extracting raw materials used in battery production, including cobalt, copper and lithium, rather than for recycling used batteries. No country “manufactures” used batteries; rather, they result from the use of batteries, mainly in countries where electric vehicles and electronic devices are widely used.
China is the world’s largest producer of new batteries and dominates the global market, meaning that a large proportion of the used batteries generated worldwide come from products manufactured in China.
The recycling of these used batteries takes place in countries such as Norway, Costa Rica and Canada, which are positioning themselves as key players in the circular economy. ACP/