Are lithium-ion batteries recyclable in Africa?

While the recycling of lithium-ion batteries in Africa remains almost absent, the Nigerian recycler Hinckley and the Dutch company Closing the Loop organized the collection, packaging and shipment of 5 metric tons of lithium-ion batteries from Nigeria to Belgium for recycling in 2020, less than 0.005% of the total used batteries in circulation.

Can batteries be repurposed in Africa?

Companies are beginning to repurpose batteries from local electronic waste, driven by the cost of alternative EOL management options. However, repurposing only delays the inevitable need for recycling, and is not a long term solution. These are some of the challenges for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries in Africa:

Are batteries the future of energy in Africa?

Renewable electricity generation in the form of solar home systems and mini-grids, particularly when coupled with batteries, is improving access, reliability, and the cost of energy. As such, over the next decade, batteries are expected to have a high uptake in Africa, especially with the declining costs.

What is the demand for batteries in Africa?

Market forecasts by the World Economic Forum show that as more Africans gain access to energy over the coming years, the demand for batteries will grow to 83 GWh by 2030. Batteries are needed in Africa for various applications, such as mobile technologies, renewable energy systems, and grid solutions.

Can a shipping agency Transport a waste lithium-ion battery?

Shipping agencies are reluctant to transport waste lithium-ion batteries and, if they do so, request heightened fire precautions, such as embedding the cargo in sand. Hence, a container with a nominal load of 20 metric tons cannot carry more than 5 metric tons of waste batteries.

Can African batteries be made in Africa?

One option is manufacturing locally on the continent. To date, the manufacturing industry for batteries in Africa is still nascent, but some manufacturers are beginning to explore the possibility of establishing the first African gigafactory. South Africa is currently taking the lead when it comes to battery manufacturing in Africa.