The Long & Winding Road to EV value chain for African countries

With the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia have outlined a joint e-mobility roadmap to bolster their integration into the electric vehicle (EV) value chain. According to the ECA, representatives from these African nations met in Lusaka on December 12, 2024, to explore strategic priorities for fostering regional value chains in the automotive and electric mobility sectors. They also evaluated partnership opportunities and refined regulatory frameworks to create a conducive environment for growth.

All attendees reiterated their commitment to integrating a value chain framework into their respective local policies. They recommended the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2025 and the inclusion of Morocco into the Zambia-DRC Special Economic Zone. The ECA is finalizing the roadmap, implementation plan, and partnership framework for member states' approval. Additionally, the UN organization will undertake strategic studies, facilitate exchanges among stakeholders, and support capacity building for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the automotive sector.

Adam Elhiraika, Director of ECA North Africa, indicated that “Africa’s automotive industry is projected to grow by 40%, reaching $42.06 billion by 2027. Simultaneously, the global transition to electric mobility presents transformative opportunities, with the global electric vehicle (EV) market projected to reach $46 trillion by 2050.”

Discussions addressed challenges related to establishing e-mobility and automotive value chains, priorities for harmonizing policies across Africa, available financing opportunities, ecosystem development for research and innovation, and public-private sector collaboration to foster sustainable industrialization and improve SME competitiveness.

The demand for vehicles in Africa is expected to reach 10 million units annually by 2030, while the global EV market is projected to reach $46 trillion by 2050. With approximately 30% of the world’s reserves of cobalt, lithium, and copper—key minerals for EV batteries—Africa is strategically positioned to secure a share of this market, contributing to its sustainable development and advancing its environmental goals.

Developing African automotive and electric mobility value chains requires coordinated efforts to establish a fair and sustainable ecosystem with valuable ESG compliance. It is hoped that this roadmap will catalyze the development of a clear and accepted participation of African countries in the growing energy transition industry that EV represents.