From Lithium to Cobalt, India Joins $1T Global Race for Africa’s Minerals Alongside Major Powers
India is broadening its global efforts to secure critical minerals, with Africa emerging as a strategic priority under the $4 billion National Critical Mineral Mission.
India is intensifying its bid for Africa’s critical minerals, from lithium to cobalt, as part of a $4 billion investment drive to secure supply chains essential for clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
The initiative focuses on essential resources such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, vital for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy technologies, as India seeks to maintain a competitive edge in the global clean energy transition.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, speaking at the launch of the sixth tranche of critical mineral block auctions, stressed that global demand for EV batteries and renewable energy components is expected to triple by 2030.
He noted that this surge requires India to strengthen both domestic exploration and international partnerships.
Zambia is set to receive part of India’s $4 billion streamlined investment aimed at securing critical mineral supply chains across Africa and other regions. In July, India dispatched a team of geologists to explore copper and cobalt deposits.
This year, the Zambian government allocated 9,000 square kilometres (3,475 square miles) for India’s exploration of cobalt, a critical component for electric vehicle batteries and mobile phones, as well as copper, widely used in power generation, electronics, and construction.
Following this, state-owned enterprise Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has secured lithium blocks in Argentina and is pursuing additional acquisitions in Zambia through government-to-government negotiations.
Reddy added that New Delhi has signed memoranda of understanding with Japan, Peru, Australia, and the UAE to strengthen secure supply chains.
The Ministry of Mines has also entered bilateral agreements with several African countries, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Côte d’Ivoire, and is in discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo to secure preliminary agreements for cobalt and copper.
Namibia is included in India’s broader strategic outreach, with talks underway to establish collaborative exploration ventures. The minister noted that India’s $4 billion allocation for the critical minerals programme far exceeds the $1 billion earmarked by the United States for the same sector.
To support these overseas initiatives, New Delhi has introduced domestic reforms, including the removal of import duties on 23 critical minerals, the establishment of coal and mineral exchanges to enable transparent trading, and financial incentives to scale up recycling capacity. The amended MMDR Act 2025 also facilitates deep-seated mineral exploration, ensuring India can meet both domestic and international demand.
The latest auction round, launched on Tuesday, put 23 mineral blocks up for bids, with first-time participation from states including Telangana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.
Experts say India’s strategic investments in African mineral resources reflect its broader ambition to reduce import dependency, strengthen energy security, and secure a strong position in the global clean energy market.
By focusing on African countries with resource-rich geology and stable governance, India aims to combine disciplined fiscal and industrial policies with international partnerships, supporting long-term economic growth on the continent while ensuring reliable access to critical minerals.
