South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed interest in driving the green energy transition to support the development of electric vehicles (EV) batteries, as he collaborates with Nigeria to harness lithium for power. This was stated in Cape Town, South Africa, at the Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable.
The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Nigerian President, Bayo Onanuga, stated that South Africa has proposed leveraging Nigeria’s vast lithium reserves as a cornerstone for industrialization efforts in the EV sector.
Ramaphosa said, “There is also much opportunity for cooperation on pharmaceuticals. Our two countries are strategically positioned to benefit from the rapid growth of clean energy manufacturing industries”.
“South Africa has developed a Just Transition Framework and an Investment Plan that anticipates massive investments in renewable energy and the green economy over the next few years.”
“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 industrialization.”
“We should leverage each other’s capabilities in minerals processing. We must work together to ensure critical minerals are beneficiated at source.”
The South Africa President also said South Africa would support the bid of Nigeria to become a member of the G20 club of the world’s major economies.
This was declared at the inauguration of South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in Cape Town, few minutes before he received President Bola Tinubu at Tuynhuys to Co-Chair the 11th Bi-National Commission between Nigeria and South Africa.
