Through a statement released on Monday evening, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) called on African countries to exploit the opportunities presented by recent developments in the global battery and electronics industry. electric vehicles (EVs).

The appeal to African countries was launched by the ECA during a review meeting The ECA made this appeal during a technical review meeting on the implementation of the cross-border special economic zone for the battery industry and electric vehicles, which will be established in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia with the support of the ECA and the African Export-Import Bank. According to the director of the ECA sub-regional office for Southern Africa, Eunice Kamwendo, the benefits of the battery and electric vehicle development initiative in both countries for its expected contribution to socio-economic development

According to him, “this initiative presents a huge opportunity to transform regional economies and the entire continent through mineral-based development.” The increase in demand for rechargeable batteries, driven by the use of smartphones and the need to store renewable energy, represents according to CEA a huge opportunity for the African continent to stimulate development based on a