Opportunities for Africa in global battery supply chain

Refining domestic lithium, nickel, manganese and copper could be 40% more competitive than the rest of the world by 2030.

A report from Manufacturing Africa and the Faraday Institution finds that with only one high-quality refinery per mineral, Africa could generate an additional USD$6.8bln annually and create 3,500 jobs in the battery supply chain.

From Minerals to Manufacturing: Africa’s Competitiveness in Global Battery Supply Chains was launched by Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP while at a growth and renewable energy reception in Lagos, Nigeria.

Initial analysis suggests countries like Tanzania and Morocco could produce batteries that are cost-competitive with Europe under certain conditions.

At the event in Lagos, the Foreign Secretary met with investors, development partners and companies in the clean energy sector, including UK smart-meter firm SteamaCo, and UK e-waste firm Hinckley Recycling,  with whom he assembled a second life battery. Both firms are invested in Nigeria.