Rwanda ranked as the top global exporter of coltan in 2023, a mineral used to make key components of electronic devices like computers and smartphones.
According to Ecofin Agency, an agency specializing in the African economy, Rwanda exported 2,070 tons, placing it as the top exporter of coltan mineral, while the Democratic Republic of Congo became the runner-up, exporting 1,919 tons in 2023.
According to official data compiled by the Ecofin Agency, this is the fifth time since 2014 that Rwanda has exported more coltan than the DRC.
In addition to last year, Rwanda has exported more coltan than the DRC in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2019.
Over the past decade, both countries have swapped positions as the world’s top coltan exporter, but the DRC exported the most coltan overall – 17,330 tons against 15,374 tons for Rwanda.