The United States has signed an agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia to assist them in developing an electric vehicle value chain, which includes providing components used in their assembly.
‘’The plan to develop an electric vehicle supply chain opens the door for U.S and like-minded investment to keep more value-added [levels] in Africa, this is the future, and it is happening in the DRC and in Zambia,’’. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday at the U.S. – Africa Leaders Summit in Washington.
As stated by the secretary, the partnership will benefit Africa and the world as global leaders and environmental activists work to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis.
‘’We’re together in combating the climate crisis, developing new renewable sources of energy, and building out economies for the future. I think, an important moment to take note of a significant initiative for the future not only of the DRC and Zambia, not only for Africa but potentially for the world,’’ Blinken added.
President Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth Jose Fernandez were all present at the signing ceremony.
The analysts said electric vehicles will help reduce carbon emissions, thereby assisting international leaders and stakeholders in responding to the climate crisis.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo supplies 70% of the world’s cobalt, while Zambia is the world’s sixth-largest copper producer and Africa’s second-largest cobalt producer.
According to DRC Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula, the signing of the MOU marks a critical moment in the partnership between the US and Africa – specifically between the US, Zambia, and the DRC.
‘’The DRC is working based on the will of our president to be involved in all initiatives in the region that involve the United States so that we can contribute with our natural resources and strategic minerals to the collective management of the world’s fate and future in this day and age with climate change, where we need to have a lot of imagination and creativity to help us manage the energy transition together.’’ DRC Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula
Zambian Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo said the agreement reflects the deep friendship between the two countries, calling it “strategic” for us as a country.
“It fits into a program of us industrializing our countries, providing jobs, and creating value chains for what we want to do in our country .We want to get the transactions done and the plants up and running as soon as possible. The value chains must be clear for our mutual benefit.”Minister Stanley Kakubo
Read Also: Sudan Signs $6 Billion Deal with UAE for New Red Sea Port
