The push, in Africa, into the global electric vehicle (EV) battery industry has intensified, with major investments sparking hopes for a clean energy revolution across the continent. Just recently, Hinckley Recycling, a UK battery technology company, announced a $5 million investment to build Africa’s first lithium-ion and lead-acid battery recycling plant in Nigeria’s Ogun State. What seemed initially like a move to tackle Nigeria’s mounting waste management challenges is quickly evolving into something far more significant: the positioning of Nigeria, and potentially Africa, as a critical player in the global battery value chain in general, and the electric vehicle battery sector in particular.
The plant, which will process used lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries, extracting valuable raw materials for reuse, is part of a broader strategy to localize Africa’s share of the battery market. Like the interventions being seen in Ghana and across East Africa, this development highlights the growing recognition that the future of energy storage and electric mobility could be shaped by Africa’s abundant resources and evolving industrial base.
Simultaneously, in Ghana, Kofa Technologies, in partnership with UK-based impact investor PASH Global, launched, earlier this week, a £6.15 million project to introduce battery-swapping stations across the country’s electric motorcycle market. By addressing one of the largest obstacles to EV adoption in Africa — the cost and availability of charging infrastructure — Kofa is taking a bold step toward scaling electric mobility on the continent.
But these are not isolated efforts. In East Africa, Zeno, a battery startup founded by Tesla alumnus Michael Spencer, has also quietly secured $9.5 million in seed funding, backed by Lowercarbon Capital and Toyota Ventures. Zeno is now preparing to roll out its swappable battery systems for motorcycle taxis (bodabodas), which dominate the region’s transport ecosystem. The swift convergence of these ventures signals that Africa’s battery race is heating up, driven by global market dynamics and the continent’s unique resource advantages.
Unlocking Africa’s Battery Potential
Lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, have become essential to the global energy transition. Africa holds a critical piece of this puzzle with its vast reserves of minerals like cobalt, lithium, and manganese. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for instance, is home to more than 70% of the world’s cobalt, a key ingredient in lithium-ion batteries. Yet, historically, Africa has exported these raw materials with little value-added locally.
This is changing. Hinckley’s recycling plant in Nigeria is just one example of how Africa is moving beyond raw material extraction to play a larger role in the battery value chain. By capturing the economic benefits of recycling, processing, and manufacturing, African countries are positioning themselves as more than just suppliers of raw materials. As demand for energy storage grows, so too does the opportunity for Africa to lead in this high-growth sector.
“Localizing parts of the battery supply chain can have far-reaching implications for Africa’s economies,” said Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, who welcomed the development. “It not only addresses environmental concerns but also creates jobs and fosters industrial growth.”
Ghana is also at the forefront of the race to scale battery technology across Africa. The partnership between Kofa Technologies and PASH Global aims to create a network of battery-swapping stations, designed to make electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible to ordinary Ghanaians. With 100 stations and 6,000 batteries expected to be deployed, the project promises to lower the cost of EV ownership by eliminating the need for individual battery purchases. Instead, drivers can swap batteries as needed, ensuring constant availability and reducing downtime.
“The battery-swapping model is a game-changer for Africa,” said Erik Nygard, CEO of Kofa. “It addresses one of the key barriers to EV adoption — the high upfront cost of batteries — while offering a scalable solution for transportation and energy access.”
This model could serve as a blueprint for other African countries aiming to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility, particularly in urban areas where motorcycle taxis and small vehicles form the backbone of transport systems. By reducing reliance on petrol, these projects could also help countries meet their climate goals and reduce air pollution in congested cities.
The Road to Localization
The drive to capture more value from Africa’s natural resources is not limited to battery recycling or electric mobility. Startups like Zeno are working on innovations tailored specifically to African markets, recognizing the vast potential in localizing battery systems. Zeno’s swappable batteries, for example, are designed not only for motorcycle taxis but also for off-grid power solutions, addressing the energy access challenge in rural areas where electricity is scarce or unreliable.
For Africa to unlock its EV battery potential, experts say more investment is needed in infrastructure and industrial capabilities. “We are seeing the beginnings of a new industrial era in Africa,” said Michael Spencer, Zeno’s founder. “As the world shifts to a low-carbon future, Africa can be at the forefront, provided we invest in the right technologies and partnerships.”
There are already signs that international investors are taking note. British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution, and other major funds are pouring capital into Africa’s clean energy space, focusing on battery storage and electric mobility. Meanwhile, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is backing large-scale projects that will integrate batteries into the continent’s renewable energy systems, enhancing the reliability of solar and wind power.
The Bottom Line
Despite the optimism surrounding the EV battery revolution in Africa, challenges remain. In the DRC, cobalt mining has been linked to severe human rights abuses, including child labor and unsafe working conditions. These concerns threaten to undermine the benefits of the industry unless governments and companies work to ensure ethical and sustainable practices. Additionally, there are questions about the environmental impact of increased battery production and disposal, underscoring the importance of initiatives like Hinckley’s recycling plant.
But if Africa can navigate these challenges, the potential rewards are immense. By leveraging its resource wealth and embracing technological innovation, the continent could become a leader in the global clean energy transition, unlocking new economic opportunities and addressing pressing energy needs.
As the race to dominate the EV battery market accelerates, Africa is no longer a passive participant. From the recycling plants in Nigeria to the battery-swapping stations in Ghana, the continent is shaping its own clean energy future — one that promises to bring economic growth, technological advancement, and environmental sustainability in equal measure.