• The global cobalt supply chain is highly interconnected and vulnerable to disruptions.
• Disruptions in one country or production stage can trigger cascading failures across multiple regions and industries.
• The cobalt supply chain exhibits a 'robust-yet-fragile' structure, susceptible to targeted shocks.
• Rising demand for electric vehicles has driven a sharp increase in demand for cobalt.

This vulnerability may indicate a need for coordinated system-wide strategies to strengthen resilience in the cobalt supply chain, which could have significant implications for energy security and clean technology. The findings suggest that a successful low-carbon transition will depend on understanding and managing the complex global networks through which critical resources flow.