South Africa has shown a strong desire to partner with Nigeria in the exploitation of essential minerals like lithium, with the aim of advancing green energy technologies and electric vehicle (EV) battery production.
This proposal was put forward by President Cyril Ramaphosa at a business meeting in Cape Town on Tuesday, according to Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu is visiting South Africa for the 11th session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC). During his speech, Ramaphosa also emphasised the considerable opportunities for collaboration in the pharmaceutical industry. He stated that both countries are well-positioned to benefit from the growing clean energy manufacturing sectors.
Ramaphosa elaborated on South Africa’s efforts, mentioning the creation of a Just Transition Framework and an Investment Plan, which anticipates substantial investments in renewable energy and the green economy in the coming years.
He stressed the importance of utilising the plentiful natural resources in both nations to promote green industrialisation, particularly as part of the global transition towards a low-carbon economy.
The South African leader called for increased cooperation in minerals processing, highlighting the need to ensure that critical minerals are processed at their source. He encouraged businesses to actively participate in and support these collaborative initiatives.
Furthermore, Ramaphosa expressed South Africa’s firm backing for Nigeria, described as a “valued sister country”, in its bid to join the G20, the group of the world’s major economies.
He emphasised the necessity of global cooperation in tackling pressing economic and financial issues and advocated for the inclusion of other significant African nations in the G20, noting that South Africa had previously been the only African representative before the African Union’s involvement.
“We have a voice, we have a presence, and we will be the biggest growth story in years to come,” Ramaphosa said.