Strategic Exit Under Discussion
On September 19, 2025, reports confirmed that Glencore has entered discussions to sell its 75% stake in Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s largest copper and cobalt producers. The move reflects the Swiss commodity giant’s reassessment of its African portfolio, as it balances exposure to high-potential resources with persistent political and operational risks. For Glencore, offloading part of its Congolese holdings could free capital for projects in more stable jurisdictions.
A Critical Asset in Global Supply Chains
KCC is a cornerstone of the DRC’s role in global energy-transition supply chains, producing significant volumes of both copper and cobalt—minerals essential for electric vehicles and renewable infrastructure. Any change in ownership structure would reverberate across markets, especially given that buyers are expected to come from Asian companies with ambitions to secure long-term supplies. Analysts note that control of KCC represents not only access to ore but also influence over
the world’s most strategic cobalt streams.
Market and Governance Implications
The potential sale raises broader questions about governance and competition in the DRC’s mining sector. While new investment could bring capital and technology, it may also shift bargaining power between the Congolese state and foreign operators. Local stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether a transaction improves transparency, revenue-sharing, and community outcomes—or whether it reinforces concerns about foreign dominance. For global buyers, the deal illustrates how critical minerals are increasingly entangled with geopolitics, corporate strategy, and Africa’s development trajectory.