South African mining and manufacturing company AQORA is looking at developing a vertically integrated Gigafactory to produce anodes, cathodes and lithium-ion batteries.
AQORA’s Managing Director Deshan Naidoo, said The decision to construct a Gigafactory in South Africa was influenced by the country’s manufacturing expertise, trade policy, investment incentives, and proximity to key battery mineral deposits.
The project’s components will include mining of raw ore, processing it into concentrates, refining it into battery precursors, forming anodes and cathodes, and assembling cells and battery packs.
The company plans to address sourcing raw materials and managing the supply chain through its mining assets, logistics partnerships, and public sector support.
The Gigafactory project will play a critical role in southern Africa’s energy transition by supporting intra-continental trade, job creation, skills development, and beneficiation while catalyzing new downstream industries.
South Africa’s importation of lithium-ion batteries and cells is significant, and the trajectory is expected to continue due to domestic base load constraints. While there is currently no mass adoption of new energy vehicles in southern Africa, AQORA’s focus is on stationary applications and export opportunities for lithium-ion batteries.
The project’s financing structure is under development, and the company is open to a blended solution, including developmental financing, sovereign wealth funds, and commercial banks.
