Indonesia is keen to enhance its collaboration with African nations on critical minerals essential for electric vehicle (EV) battery production. Abdul Kadir Jailani, Director General of Asia, Pacific, and Africa at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, highlighted at the Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) press conference that Indonesia requires a diverse range of critical minerals beyond just nickel for EV batteries.
“To produce EV batteries, we need a wide array of critical minerals, not just nickel. Some African countries have significant mineral potential,” Jailani said.
He noted existing partnerships, such as the one between Indonesia’s state-run mining industry holding, Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID), and Tanzania, particularly in lithium. Jailani stressed the need for Indonesia to look beyond its own resources.
“This energy cooperation is crucial for us as we need critical minerals for our energy transition, and we understand that supply cannot solely come from within Indonesia,” he added.
Jailani also pointed out the vast opportunities for trade cooperation with Africa. He acknowledged that current business relations between Indonesia and Africa are limited and emphasized the importance of strengthening these ties.
“It’s time for Indonesia to engage more actively with Africa. We are shifting our focus to see the African market as a valuable, untapped resource that we need to fully leverage,” he said.
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, mentioned that Africa is being considered as a key market for expanding Indonesia’s EV battery industry.
“The population in Africa is expected to double by 2045, presenting a significant market opportunity,” Pandjaitan noted at the International Battery Summit in Jakarta on July 29th.