Lithium Battery Manufacturing on the African Continent

As the independent non-executive director of CBZ Holdings, Rebecca Gaskin Gain assists the bank in its support of corporations in Zimbabwe. Among other efforts, Rebecca Gaskin Gain supports renewable energy projects in the country such as lithium battery development. If more entrepreneurs on the African continent work to increase collaboration with those in other countries, the entire continent can earn tangible economic benefits.

Lithium is a desirable mineral due to its high energy density, which makes it ideal for making batteries. Lithium batteries power different modes of transportation, from small to large, so all industries are potential markets. Additionally, climate change has increased interest in non-fossil fuel energy sources, so companies and countries are seeing an increased demand for power storage systems.

The African continent has rich lithium deposits, but lithium hydroxide manufacturers have traditionally been located in China or Sweden. By negotiating with external manufacturers, convincing them to relocate facilities to countries such as Zimbabwe, residents can gain more economic power while also reducing the manufacturers' logistical costs. Companies like Ampersand, in Rwanda, already harness nearby lithium resources by creating lithium batteries for the country’s motorbike taxis. By replicating Ampersand’s business model on a larger scale, much of the African continent can reap the same benefits, while also creating a more energy-efficient world.