Europe’s green transition, powered by electric vehicles and energy storage solutions, relies heavily on raw materials like cobalt, a critical component in batteries. However, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), home to over two-thirds of the world’s cobalt, is gaining newfound negotiating leverage as Europe struggles to secure a reliable supply.
European Parliament member Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, representing the liberal political group Renew Europe, underscores the importance of ensuring that raw materials are sourced sustainably, with no exploitation or child labor involved. While European demand for cobalt continues to rise due to its use in battery production for electric vehicles (EVs), the extraction of cobalt in the DRC is a stark contrast to the green rhetoric in Europe. Miners in DRC, like Paul Zagabe Nbanze from Kolwezi, endure dangerous working conditions with minimal protection, unsure of the final destination or use of the materials they extract.
Despite Europe’s growing dependence on cobalt, much of the mineral’s value is added in China, which processes 75% of the world’s cobalt, complicating Europe’s efforts to gain direct access to the resource. Brussels’ support for sustainable mining in Africa often faces skepticism, particularly regarding the exploitative practices of Chinese-controlled operations. This raises concerns that Europe, while advocating for a green transition, is indirectly supporting unsustainable and exploitative mining practices in the DRC.
Congolese leaders, like former mining minister Simon Tuma Waku, argue that African countries should have a say in how foreign investments are made and demand that Europe respect their priorities. Waku’s sentiment echoes the growing confidence in African nations to demand better terms in mining agreements and greater benefits for their people. Historically, European exploitation of Congo’s resources, such as during the reign of King Leopold II, has left a legacy of distrust, further complicated by the DRC’s experiences with failed governance and underinvestment in the past.
Despite efforts like the European Union’s Global Gateway Initiative, which aims to counter China’s Belt and Road infrastructure projects, China remains the DRC’s primary trading partner. EU investments, such as the Lobito Corridor infrastructure project, show signs of progress but fall short of challenging China’s dominance. While the DRC has passed mining laws aimed at improving the sector’s sustainability, local NGOs argue that enforcement remains weak, leaving the laws little more than empty promises.
In conclusion, the EU’s reliance on cobalt from the DRC for its green agenda highlights the complexity of achieving a truly sustainable and ethical supply chain. While Europe pushes for climate neutrality by 2050, the DRC’s position as a key supplier places it in a stronger bargaining position, forcing Europe to confront difficult questions about the true cost of its green transition.
