The Democratic Republic of Congo (a vast Central African nation that holds some of the world's largest copper and cobalt reserves) has introduced restrictions on raw ore exports, aiming to compel local processing and refining and retain a greater share of the billions of dollars these critical minerals generate. The policy reflects a broader push for mineral sovereignty — keeping industrial value-added activity, jobs, and investment within the country rather than exporting unprocessed wealth. However, analysts warn that a significant electricity shortfall may undermine the plan, as expanded smelting and refining operations require reliable power infrastructure that the DRC currently lacks.