Price volatility in copper, cobalt, gold, and oil could threaten the DRC’s 2025 Finance Law, currently under parliamentary review. Draft law document 8 indicates that fluctuations in global commodity prices may disrupt the budget, as mining and hydrocarbons comprise nearly all of the DRC’s exports.
Between 2019 and 2023, copper, cobalt, and gold dominated the export landscape, contributing 70.25%, 16.87%, and 6.74% of mining exports, respectively. In 2022, mining revenues, mainly from copper, cobalt, and gold, represented almost 50% of government income.
This dependency on commodities exposes the DRC to global shocks, such as economic crises or geopolitical tensions, which could lead to reduced income from mining taxes and royalties.
Simulations by the Ministry of Budget underscore this vulnerability, showing that a $1 decrease in oil prices could reduce current revenues by $6.5 million.
To counter these risks, the government aims to build reserves during price surges and actively promote economic diversification to reduce reliance on the mining sector.
