EGC, EVelution Energy and Trafigura sign cobalt supply MoU

Democratic Republic of the Congo

MADRID, May 13, 2026 – Congolese state-owned Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC), battery minerals processing company EVelution Energy and global trading firm Trafigura have signed an MoU to establish a direct cobalt supply chain between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the US, Trafigura announced on Wednesday.

The tripartite MoU sets out a framework for the long-term supply of Congolese cobalt hydroxide to the US and aims to support EVelution Energy’s production of up to approximately 40% of projected US cobalt demand. The deal builds on the critical minerals agreement signed between the US and DR Congo in December 2025.

Under the planned commercial structure, EGC would originate cobalt hydroxide in the DRC, Trafigura would provide supply chain, logistics and marketing services, and EVelution Energy would process the material at its Arizona facility into battery-grade cobalt sulfate and alloy-grade cobalt metal for the US aerospace, defence and electric battery manufacturing industries.

“This partnership marks a structural milestone for the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is in line with the strategic agreement between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo and illustrates the effective implementation of the commitments made,” said Eric Kalala, CEO of EGC.

The parties also expect to leverage the Lobito Atlantic Railway, a 1,300-kilometre rail line connecting Angola’s deepwater Port of Lobito to the DR Congo border at Luau and a further 450-kilometre extension to Kolwezi. The railway reduces inland transit times to approximately seven days and has received USD 753 million in financing from the US International Development Finance Corporation and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

The parties will also explore support for local cobalt refining capacity in the DR Congo, potential EGC minority equity participation in EVelution Energy or its refining infrastructure and technical training programmes for EGC teams.

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