Supply Chain Economy Amid US-China Tensions
Full-Scale Efforts to Secure African Mineral Resources
"Strategic Government-Level Approach Needed"
Amid growing concerns over the supply chain instability of key minerals for electric vehicle batteries due to the ongoing US-China conflict, there have been calls for South Korea to expand its mineral cooperation with Africa.
According to the report "Major Countries' Strategies and Korea's Response in the Race to Secure African Minerals," released by the Korea International Trade Association's Institute for International Trade and Commerce on June 24, competition among major countries to enter Africa has been accelerating recently.
Africa is rich in essential minerals for electric vehicle batteries, such as lithium, cobalt, graphite, and manganese. The continent also boasts a large young workforce and strong determination to foster its industries. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), Africa's global mineral reserves are led by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (cobalt, ranked 1st) and South Africa (manganese, ranked 1st), followed by Madagascar (graphite, ranked 3rd) and Zimbabwe (lithium, ranked 7th).
China has consistently prioritized cooperation with Africa, maintaining a tradition of making Africa the first destination for the foreign minister's annual overseas visits since before the 2000s. In particular, China has continued to make large-scale investments in mineral infrastructure through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In contrast, the United States is seeking joint entry with its allies through multilateral partnerships such as the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP). The European Union has emphasized sustainability and invested in the Lobito Corridor, a mineral transportation infrastructure. Japan, led by the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), is also strengthening technical support and expanding local equity investments through general trading companies.
The report analyzed that while South Korea is relatively weaker than the United States and China in terms of capital and diplomatic influence, it is highly regarded for its world-class battery manufacturing technology, robust upstream industry supply chains, and commitment to sustainability. This creates opportunities for mutually complementary cooperation with Africa in the minerals sector. The report also proposed the following measures to enhance Korea-Africa mineral cooperation: expanding high-level visits to resource-rich countries; promptly concluding Trade and Investment Promotion Frameworks (TIPF) currently under negotiation with resource-rich nations such as Gabon and South Africa; promoting joint growth cooperation models based on technological and industrial competitiveness; and providing long-term and continuous government support for mineral development.
Park Soyoung, a senior researcher at KITA, emphasized, "Our battery industry is facing dual risks from China's supply chain controls and the United States' strengthening of de-risking policies. In this context, Africa could be a strong alternative for supply chain diversification. As competition with major countries intensifies, it is essential for South Korea to adopt a strategic approach and ensure long-term, consistent policy support at the government level for mineral cooperation with Africa."
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