UN urges African countries to seize opportunities in battery and electric vehicle sector
Battery electric vehicle market could grow to US$8.8 trillion by 2025
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa is calling on African countries to take advantage of the new prospects provided by developments in the battery and electric vehicle (EV) industry.
The appeal followed a technical meeting to discuss plans to establish a cross-border special economic zone for battery and electric vehicle manufacturing in the countries of Congo and Zambia, with support from the UN and the African Export-Import Bank. This is reported by ENA.
Eunice Kamwendo, Director of the UNECA Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa, said the initiative would help to increase the value of minerals needed for the production of electric vehicles, attract investment, create jobs and contribute to overall economic reforms.
According to Kamwendo, the creation of a special economic zone will help to promote manufacturing in the two countries and across the continent, as well as reduce the technological gap in this area.
Experts predict that the battery electric vehicle market could grow to $8.8 trillion by 2025 and US$46 trillion by 2050-almost a six-fold increase in market value over the next 25 years.
Photo: iStock-
![]()
Technology15.09.26SPbU scientists test how accurately AI can create psychological profile of person -
![]()
Technology15.09.26Iran presents two domestically developed catalysts for oil and gas industry -
![]()
Technology15.09.26China launches world's first intelligent humanoid robot manufacturing factory -
![]()
Technology15.09.26Russian chemists create magnetic fluid for tumour diagnosis and treatment -
![]()
Technology14.09.26Oman plans to launch first national communications satellite in first quarter of 2027 -
![]()
Technology13.09.26India to increase data centre capacity fivefold over next five years
-
![Ashok Mondal]()
Ashok MondalNID Director"Signing this Memorandum of Understanding between the National Institute of Design (NID) and TV BRICS marks a pivotal milestone in advancing design diplomacy across the BRICS media space. This moment is especially significant as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit, following India’s assumption of the BRICS chairship under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The partnership directly embodies his call to elevate Indian design standards through 'Design in India, Design for the World'. Through the global reach and broadcast capabilities of TV BRICS, we are excited to showcase the extraordinary visual storytelling, films, and design research of NID’s Film and Video Communication students to an international audience, while also welcoming and screening film works from BRICS network countries at NID Ahmedabad. This reciprocal exchange strengthens our shared commitment to educational, cultural, and artistic collaboration, fostering sustainable connections among global creative communities. NID Ahmedabad looks forward to leveraging this partnership to deepen cross-cultural dialogue, build international expert networks, and unlock transformative opportunities for filmmakers, researchers, and faculty across member nations" -
![Vladimir Putin]()
Vladimir PutinPresident of Russia"We are developing mutual trade, which is growing; it increased by over 12 per cent last year. We have a joint commission working in this sphere. Our focus is on agriculture, shipbuilding, information technology and energy, including nuclear power. We have signed a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Indonesia. Jakarta is our reliable and old friend within ASEAN. We are working together at all international platforms, including the UN" -
![Joao Paulo Capobianco]()
Joao Paulo CapobiancoBrazilian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change"The BRICS countries have a very high level of responsibility because they share an important part of the world's biodiversity, landscapes, populations, food production and water resources. So, we have an opportunity to lead by example. We have our development bank, which can demonstrate and develop new ways of financing programmes. We can reduce the risks for private capital to invest in restoration and efforts to combat desertification" -
![Dilma Rousseff]()
Dilma RousseffPresident of the New Development Bank"India’s BRICS Presidency this year gives special significance to our discussion. NDB stands ready to be a trusted partner in turning commitments on sustainability, clean energy, smart and resilient infrastructure into concrete results on the ground. […] For NDB, mobilising private capital is a strategic imperative. Created by the BRICS founding members, NDB is a bank of the Global South, for the Global South, mandated to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development" -
![Sihasak Phuangketkeow]()
Sihasak PhuangketkeowDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand"BRICS can play a very important role in maintaining the free flow of trade and investment. The group can also be a vehicle for all of us to engage and to look at economic opportunities"
