S/Africa proposes Collaboration with Nigeria's Lithium

 

                                                            By Vivian Saleh Kindly Share...

The Republic of South Africa has expressed its interest in collaborating with Nigeria to harness critical minerals, particularly lithium, to drive the green energy transition and support the development of electric vehicles (EV) batteries.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South  Africa who expressed his country’s interest on Tuesday at the Nigeria -South Africa Business Roundtable in Cape Town, proposed leveraging Nigeria’s vast lithium reserves as a cornerstone for industrialisation efforts in the EV sector.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Ramaphosa urged the private sector and development finance institutions to collaborate in building infrastructure and scaling up manufacturing capabilities in this sector. 

Highlighting the role of critical minerals in the global shift to a low-carbon economy, Ramaphosa called for collaboration in mineral processing and beneficiation at the source. 

He stressed that such partnerships would ensure both nations maximize the value derived from their resources while bolstering their positions in the rapidly growing clean energy manufacturing sector.

The president pointed to South Africa’s Just Transition Framework and Investment Plan, which anticipates significant investments in renewable energy and the green economy over the next few years. 

He noted that South Africa’s approach aligns with global efforts to achieve sustainable development while reducing carbon emissions.

Ramaphosa also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in pharmaceuticals, underscoring how the two countries are strategically positioned to benefit from burgeoning industries tied to clean energy and innovation. 

He urged businesses from both nations to actively engage in initiatives supporting green energy and sustainable industrialization.

“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.

“South Africa has developed a Just Transition Framework and an Investment Plan that anticipates massive investments in renewable energy and the green economy over the next few years. 

“As part of the broader global transition to a low-carbon economy, we must leverage the abundant natural resources that exist in our countries to promote 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,” President Ramaphosa said. 

President Ramaphosa also disclosed that South Africa will “keenly” support the bid of Nigeria, “a valued sister country”, to become a member of the G20 club of the world’s major economies. 

He gave the promise at the official launch of South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in Cape Town, few minutes before he received President Tinubu at Tuynhuys to co-chair the 11th Bi-National Commission between Nigeria and South Africa,

President Ramaphosa reiterated this stance during his tete-a-tete with President Tinubu and the expanded meeting with officials of both countries at the BNC. 

South Africa and the African Union are the continent’s only representatives in the G20.

Ramaphosa said other key African countries should also be admitted to the club “so that we can raise the voice from Africa, the neglected continent for the longest time.” 

He noted that South Africa had been the lone voice for Africa in the G20 before the admission of the African Union last year after his country had lobbied for it to become a member.

“We have a voice, we have a presence, and we will be the biggest growth story in years to come. 

“Our population is going to grow by leaps and bounds, and therefore, as a continent, we are going to be a big noise, and we want that big noise to be recognised in the form of countries that will be part of the G20 right now,” he said at the official launch of the G20 presidency.