South Africa is exploring partnerships with Nigeria to source lithium for electric vehicle (EV) battery production. This interest aligns with South Africa’s plans to expand its EV industry, which relies on lithium-ion batteries as a critical component. Nigeria, known for its lithium-bearing minerals such as spodumene and lepidolite, has promising reserves in states like Kwara, Ekiti, Nasarawa, and Plateau. These deposits are drawing global attention as lithium demand surges due to the growing adoption of EVs and renewable energy technologies.
The Nigerian government is working to avoid past resource management mistakes by implementing value-addition policies. These policies mandate that companies mining lithium also invest in local refining and battery production industries to maximize economic benefits. However, the development of a full lithium value chain in Nigeria faces challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, energy resources, and technological expertise.
This partnership could benefit both nations, with South Africa leveraging Nigeria’s lithium resources and Nigeria gaining investment opportunities to advance its mineral processing capabilities. Such collaboration underscores the broader global shift towards sustainable energy solutions.
