President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a strategic partnership between South Africa and Nigeria to harness critical minerals, particularly lithium, to drive Africa’s green energy transition and accelerate the development of electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Speaking at the Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa proposed leveraging Nigeria’s vast lithium reserves as a foundation for industrialisation efforts within the EV sector. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and development finance institutions in building infrastructure and scaling up manufacturing capabilities.
“There is much opportunity for cooperation on pharmaceuticals as well. Our two countries are strategically positioned to benefit from the rapid growth of clean energy manufacturing industries,” Ramaphosa said.
Highlighting South Africa’s “Just Transition Framework” and Investment Plan, which anticipate massive investments in renewable energy and the green economy, he called for collaboration in processing critical minerals at their source.
“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 and work together to ensure critical minerals are beneficiated at source,” he added.
South Africa Backs Nigeria’s Bid for G20 Membership
In a related development, President Ramaphosa pledged South Africa’s support for Nigeria’s bid to join the G20, describing Nigeria as a “valued sister country.”
He made the announcement during the official launch of South Africa’s G20 presidency in Cape Town, shortly before hosting President Bola Tinubu for the 11th Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the two countries.
South Africa and the African Union currently represent the continent in the G20. President Ramaphosa stressed the importance of increasing Africa’s voice in global economic discussions, advocating for the inclusion of other key African nations in the G20.
“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,” Ramaphosa said, referencing South Africa’s successful lobbying for the African Union’s admission into the G20 last year.
He expressed optimism about Africa’s economic future, noting the continent’s potential for exponential population and economic growth.
“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 as a continent, we are going to be a big noise. We want that big noise to be recognised in the form of countries that will be part of the G20 right now,” Ramaphosa declared.
Strengthening Economic Ties
The Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable and the Bi-National Commission further cemented the commitment of the two nations to deepening economic collaboration. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared vision to transform natural resources into industrial opportunities, not only to benefit their countries but also to drive Africa’s global competitiveness in the green economy.
