Webinar

31 January 2024 16:0017:30

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Critical raw materials - African opportunities in the lithium-ion battery value chain

This event discusses opportunities and challenges for African economies in the lithium-ion battery value chain. It brings together experts to discuss how African economies can move from a pit-to-port model to adding value through processing and manufacturing, and how they can leverage their partnerships, including with the EU, US and China to industrialise.

This event will be recorded. For access to the recording, please email jd@ecdpm.org

Background

Demand for Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) for green technologies is set to grow exponentially in the coming decades. As the EU and US deploy measures to ‘de-risk’ their supply from China, African countries see their CRM reserves as a unique opportunity to claim a stronger position in global green tech value chains and industrialise. 

Several countries are positioning themselves to increase investments in processing and even manufacturing, while also looking to develop regional value chains with the support of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). However, mineral reserves are only part of the picture.

ECDPM did an initial mapping paper looking at opportunities for an African lithium-ion battery value chain, unpacking the global, regional and national political economy dynamics that can make or break these efforts. 

This webinar will focus on the challenges and opportunities for African countries to participate in the lithium-ion battery value chain. With African countries as well as their counterparts in the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (US) all interested in developing battery value chains, how can synergies be found between these partners, including China? Moreover, given that the viability of this value chain in Africa hinges on regionalisation, what policies and instruments could bring such collaborations about? 

Agenda (Time changed)

16:00-16:05
Opening and introduction of the panel, Alfonso Medinilla, ECDPM

16:05-16:15
Presentation of the initial mapping, Poorva Karkare, ECDPM

16:15-17:00
Panel discussion  
Experts:

  • Lesego Moshikaro, Senior Economist at Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), South Africa
  • Marit Kitaw, Interim Director of the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC), specialised agency of the African Union, Ethiopia
  • Ludivine Wouters, Visiting Fellow, ECFR, United Kingdom

Moderated by Bruce Byiers, ECDPM

17:00-17:25
Q&A

17:25-17:30
Closing remarks, Alfonso Medinilla, ECDPM

ECDPM staff involved