- President Ramaphosa proposed collaboration with Nigeria to harness lithium reserves for electric vehicle battery development and green energy transition.
- He called for joint efforts in infrastructure, manufacturing, and mineral beneficiation to support green industrialization and the low-carbon economy.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has underscored South Africa’s interest in partnering with Nigeria to harness the country’s vast lithium reserves to support the green energy transition and the development of electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
During his address at the Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable in Cape Town on Tuesday, Ramaphosa proposed that Nigeria’s rich lithium resources could play a pivotal role in the industrialisation efforts within the EV sector. Lithium is a crucial element in the production of EV batteries. As the world moves towards cleaner energy solutions, both nations are keen to collaborate to tap into this potential.
Ramaphosa emphasised that leveraging Nigeria’s lithium reserves could create significant economic growth and sustainable development opportunities. He encouraged governments and the private sector to work together to establish the necessary infrastructure and scale up manufacturing capabilities in the sector.
With the global automotive industry shifting towards electric vehicles as part of the broader drive for decarbonisation, this collaboration could offer South Africa and Nigeria a competitive advantage in the growing market for clean energy technologies.
In addition to focusing on lithium and EV batteries, Ramaphosa highlighted the potential for collaboration in other sectors, including pharmaceuticals. He pointed out that South Africa and Nigeria are strategically positioned to benefit from the rapid expansion of clean energy manufacturing industries. These industries, particularly those focused on renewable energy, hold the potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
South Africa has been proactive in developing a Just Transition Framework to guide the country’s shift to a more sustainable, green economy. The framework, coupled with an Investment Plan, outlines South Africa’s commitment to attracting substantial investments in renewable energy and green industries in the years to come.
Ramaphosa urged both nations to capitalise on their abundant natural resources to promote green industrialisation, focusing on critical minerals like lithium and rare earth elements essential for renewable energy technologies.
He also emphasised the importance of mineral beneficiation, stressing that both countries should focus on ensuring that these critical minerals are processed locally rather than exported in raw form.
Ramaphosa called on businesses to support these initiatives, encouraging active participation in green industrialisation efforts. The President’s remarks reflect a growing recognition of the role that collaboration between African nations can play in the global transition to a low-carbon economy, leveraging Africa’s mineral wealth to build a sustainable future.