Deputy Minister Dr Nomalungelo Gina told the 2026 uYilo e-Mobility Summit at Nelson Mandela University that South Africa is positioning itself as a leading player in global e-mobility and battery value chains. The government is focusing on local manufacturing, mineral beneficiation, skills development and job creation, leveraging the country's mineral resources, research capability and industrial base to capture value from the electric mobility transition.
Why it matters: South Africa's push to build domestic battery and e-mobility manufacturing capacity could create new regional supply chains for charging infrastructure and EV components. For procurement teams and CPOs, a strengthened South African industrial base may offer alternative sourcing options and local content opportunities in African markets.