Editor
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized his country’s interest in collaborating with Nigeria to develop critical minerals, particularly lithium, as part of efforts to advance the global transition to green energy and accelerate electric vehicle (EV) battery production.
Speaking on Tuesday in Cape Town during the Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable, President Ramaphosa proposed leveraging Nigeria’s significant lithium reserves as a foundation for industrialization the EV sector.
He urged the private sector and development finance institutions to invest in infrastructure and expand manufacturing capacities in this sector.
“There is immense potential for cooperation in pharmaceuticals and clean energy manufacturing industries. Both countries are strategically positioned to benefit from the rapid growth of these sectors,” said Ramaphosa.
He further highlighted South Africa’s “Just Transition Framework” and Investment Plan, which anticipates substantial investments in renewable energy and the green economy in the coming years.
“As part of the global shift to a low-carbon economy, we must capitalize on the natural resources within our countries to drive green industrialization. This includes partnering on mineral processing and ensuring that critical minerals are beneficiated at source. We call on businesses to actively participate in these initiatives,” Ramaphosa stated
