South Africa eyes Nigeria’s lithium for EV batteries backs G20 membership bid

In a strong push for greater collaboration with Nigeria, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted the potential for both nations to leverage their critical mineral reserves, particularly lithium, to advance the green energy transition.

Speaking at the Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable in Cape Town on Tuesday, Ramaphosa emphasized the strategic importance of harnessing Nigeria’s vast lithium reserves to support the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and green industrialization.

Ramaphosa proposed a robust partnership between the private sector and development finance institutions to build infrastructure and scale up manufacturing capabilities in the EV sector.

He also called for beneficiation—processing minerals at their source—to maximize economic value.

“There is much opportunity for cooperation on critical minerals and pharmaceuticals,” Ramaphosa said. “Our countries are strategically positioned to benefit from the rapid growth of clean energy manufacturing industries. We must leverage each other’s capabilities in mineral processing to promote green industrialization and renewable energy.”

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South Africa, he noted, has already developed a Just Transition Framework and an Investment Plan projecting significant investments in renewable energy and the green economy over the next few years.

In a parallel development, President Ramaphosa expressed South Africa’s full support for Nigeria’s bid to join the G20, describing Nigeria as a “valued sister country.”

Speaking at the official launch of South Africa’s G20 presidency in Cape Town, Ramaphosa reiterated his advocacy for stronger African representation within the global economic forum.

“South Africa has been the lone voice for Africa in the G20 until the admission of the African Union last year. Now, other key African countries, such as Nigeria, should be admitted to amplify Africa’s voice in the global economy,” Ramaphosa stated.

He added that Africa is poised to become a significant growth driver in the coming years, with its population and economic potential expanding rapidly.

The remarks came just before Ramaphosa co-chaired the 11th Bi-National Commission (BNC) with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at Tuynhuys in Cape Town. The BNC focused on enhancing economic cooperation, trade, and investment between the two nations.

Speaking on the collaboration, economic analyst Prof. Ayo Adeyemi highlighted the mutual benefits of the proposed partnerships.

“South Africa’s expertise in mineral processing and Nigeria’s vast lithium reserves create a complementary dynamic that could position Africa as a global leader in the green economy,” he said.

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Dr. Mpho Khumalo, a clean energy consultant, praised the initiative but cautioned about potential challenges. “Infrastructure development and policy alignment will be key. Both countries need to ensure that the benefits of this collaboration are equitably distributed and that local communities see tangible outcomes,” she noted.

Ramaphosa’s commitments underscore South Africa’s vision for deeper integration and collaboration within Africa, with a focus on global competitiveness. For Nigeria, joining the G20 could provide a platform to advocate for Africa’s interests on the world stage.

Observers see these developments as a milestone in the evolving relationship between the two regional powerhouses, paving the way for economic growth, sustainability, and strengthened geopolitical influence.