Democratic Republic of the Congo

Extreme Risk

Democratic Republic of the Congo · Country · Last assessed Apr 2026

Composite Score 6/25

Higher = lower risk. 22–25 LOW · 18–21 MODERATE · 13–17 ELEVATED · 8–12 HIGH · 5–7 EXTREME.

Permitting Timeline & Predictability

1/5

Process exists but plagued by corruption and unilateral renegotiation.

Fiscal Regime Stability

2/5

2018 mining code raised royalties significantly with retroactive provisions.

Political & Security Risk

1/5

Tshisekedi government re-elected 2023 but eastern conflict ongoing; rule of law weak.

Infrastructure & Power

1/5

Limited; cobalt-copper belt has some rail/road but reliability poor.

Indigenous, Community & ESG

1/5

Artisanal mining (especially cobalt) creates material ESG and security overhead.

Assessment Summary

The DRC hosts roughly 70% of the world's cobalt production and significant copper, tin, tantalum, and gold endowment. For battery-metal exposure, the jurisdiction is structurally important. The 2018 mining code raised royalties materially and applied them retroactively to existing agreements.

Eastern DRC remains an active conflict zone with M23 and other armed groups operating through much of the Kivu provinces. Artisanal cobalt mining creates significant ESG exposure that Western capital has become more sensitive to. Operations continue but on country-risk premiums that exceed almost any other jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction risk is one input — geology, capital structure, and management still matter. See the Verdict Framework for full company scorecards.