South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans to collaborate with Nigeria in leveraging critical minerals, particularly lithium, to accelerate the green energy transition and bolster the electric vehicle (EV) industry.
During the Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable in Cape Town, Ramaphosa underscored Nigeria’s untapped lithium reserves as a key resource for EV battery production and industrial growth.
“There is also much opportunity for cooperation on pharmaceuticals. Our two countries are strategically positioned to benefit from the rapid growth of clean energy manufacturing industries,” he said.
Ramaphosa encouraged partnerships between the private sector and development finance institutions to build infrastructure and enhance EV manufacturing. He also emphasized the need for both nations to process critical minerals locally, fostering green industrialisation.
“We should leverage each other’s capabilities in minerals processing. We must work together to ensure critical minerals are beneficiated at source. We call on businesses to support and involve themselves in these initiatives,” he added.
Highlighting South Africa’s advancements in clean energy through its Just Transition Framework and Investment Plan, Ramaphosa outlined anticipated investments in renewable energy and the green economy.
The South African leader also expressed strong support for Nigeria’s bid to join the G20, referring to the nation as a “valued sister nation.” Speaking at the launch of South Africa’s G20 presidency, Ramaphosa stressed the need for greater African representation in the group to amplify the continent’s global voice.
