At a Glance
- Rwanda ships first coltan container as Aterian launches expanded trading operations.
- Partnership secures direct access to global battery metals buyers.
- Aterian establishes a conflict-free, OECD-aligned supply chain for Rwanda’s critical minerals.
Rwanda has recorded its first container shipment of coltan, also known as tantalum-niobium concentrate, as London-listed Aterian Plc launches expanded trading operations in the country.
Aterian, a metal company focused on the exploration and development of mineral properties in Africa which operates across Rwanda, Morocco and Botswana, said its new partnership with an international metals trading house provides direct access to downstream buyers.
The milestone highlights Rwanda’s growing role in Africa’s critical minerals supply chain at a time when global demand for battery metals is accelerating.
The deal gives the company a ready-made sales and marketing platform for coltan exports, cementing Rwanda’s position as an emerging hub in the mining industry.
Aterian enters global battery metals trade
The agreement comes as demand for tantalum and niobium rises in electronics and renewable energy markets. Ahead of the first shipment, Aterian’s trading partner conducted due diligence and extensive trials to verify product quality and compliance.
The process involved collaboration with Rwandan artisanal and small-scale mining suppliers that operate under OECD-aligned responsible sourcing standards.
Through its local subsidiary Eastinco, Aterian has now established a conflict-free supply chain for coltan and niobium. With the first consignment shipped, the company has formally entered commercial trading in battery metals.
To finance the expansion, Aterian secured a $250,000 mezzanine loan, which has been fully deployed to purchase concentrates from Rwanda.
East Africa strengthens its mining industry role
“The completion of supplier trials and compliance checks, combined with new trading capital, allows us to move forward at pace,” said Chief Executive Officer Simon Rollason. “We expect a significant increase in volumes over the coming weeks as procurement expands with our finance partners.”
The company said the launch marks a pivotal step in its strategy to build a vertically integrated exploration and trading platform for critical minerals across East Africa.
With container-scale coltan exports now in motion, Aterian aims to supply global buyers focused on sustainability, responsible sourcing and transparent supply chains.
