Africa, a new major player in the lithium value chain

Global demand for lithium, a strategic metal for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage, is booming. According to the International Energy Agency, this demand could increase 40-fold by 2040, offering a major opportunity for lithium-rich African countries.

In December 2024, Mali became West Africa's leading lithium producer with the commissioning of the Goulamina mine. However, although the spodumene extracted from this mine is an essential resource, it still has to be processed before it can be used in batteries.

With the largest lithium reserves on the continent, Zimbabwe initially imposed strict obligations to process lithium locally. However, the fall in the price of this mineral has led the government to relax its policy, adopting a more flexible approach on a case-by-case basis.

With deposits estimated at 6.64 million tonnes in September 2022, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is also positioning itself as a key player in the sector. The Manono mine, in particular, could play a central role in integrating the country into the global lithium value chain.

To capitalise on these strategic resources, the African Union adopted the African Mining Vision in 2008. This initiative aims to transform export models through policy incentives, skills development and the creation of regional value chains.

As the global energy transition gathers pace, Africa has a unique opportunity to capitalise on its lithium resources, not only as an exporter of raw materials, but also as a key player in the transformation and production of batteries.