The geopolitical battle over electric vehicles and access to the minerals they need has dealt many African states a stronger hand. Western tariffs on Chinese EVs, and oversupply in China’s home market, is pushing Beijing to seek new markets. That reinforces Africa’s drive for green industrialisation at this week’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Chinese firms are expanding manufacturing operations across Africa. African leaders want to see these link up with other supply chains, providing more scope to refine and develop their own raw materials. That would be transformative.

Like China, the EU is joining Africa’s green industries, via investment in green hydrogen and other renewable technologies. It has negotiated pacts with Rwanda, Namibia and Congo-Kinshasa to win access to the minerals needed to make EV batteries. A few days before the FOCAC, the EU Commission announced an agreement with Angola that promises to ‘unlock investment in sectors with untapped potential, such as green energy… and critical raw materials.’

But Beijing’s manufacturing and technology transfer schemes give it a head start over its competitors. The EU and the United States are yet to invest heavily in green industry. Over 80% of Africa’s minerals are still shipped out unprocessed. China is the main customer, but it is also the leading industrial economy manufacturing vehicles in Africa.