On August 8, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo appointed Louis Watum Kabamba—a seasoned mining executive with experience at Ivanhoe Mines, Randgold’s Kibali, and Kamoa Copper—as its new Mines Minister. The reshuffle comes amid ongoing peace negotiations and intense debates over cobalt export policy. The government is weighing whether to extend its bans on cobalt exports or adopt a quota system to promote local refining and downstream industrialization.
Observers expect Minister Kabamba to champion investor-friendly reforms that also prioritize local value capture. His background suggests he will endorse a quota system that favors major producers capable of delivering robust social and employment impact, while preserving export opportunities for smaller operators. This balancing act reflects a strategic attempt to modernize policy, stabilize the sector, and lay the groundwork for sustainable, inclusive growth.
Kabamba’s appointment signals a critical recalibration in how the DRC manages its strategic mineral wealth. With cobalt being essential to global energy transitions, his leadership could mark a turning point—aligning foreign investment with domestic industrial goals, reinforcing state legitimacy, and enhancing social license through clearer policies and broader stakeholder engagement.
Issue Profile – DRC Mines Minister Appointment & Cobalt Policy Shift
Lead Actor: Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo; Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba
Focus: Leadership change in the Ministry of Mines and potential transition from cobalt export bans to a quota-based system supporting local refining
Update (Aug 2025): Appointment of an experienced industry executive with a mandate to modernize policy, attract investment, and expand domestic industrialization
Strategic Significance: Aims to secure social license by aligning foreign capital with national development, ensuring clearer rules, and distributing benefits more broadly across stakeholders