The New Gold — Green Batteries & Local Minerals
From Cobalt to Clean Energy: Uganda Eyes Local Battery Value Chains Kasese, Uganda
Deep in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, the hum of machinery signals a new chapter in Uganda’s resource story. Once known mainly for copper and cobalt exports, Kasese is now at the heart of Africa’s push to build green battery value chains — where minerals don’t just leave the country, but power its clean energy transition.
From Mining to Manufacturing
Uganda’s government recently approved plans to establish a Battery Innovation and Assembly Plant at Namanve Industrial Park, in partnership with private investors from South Korea and the European Union. The facility will assemble lithium-ion and sodium-based batteries for e-mobility, solar storage, and industrial use.
> “Uganda cannot afford to be just a supplier of raw minerals anymore,” said Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister for Energy. “Our strategy is clear — refine, assemble, and deploy batteries here to power our own development.”
Kasese’s Kilembe Mines, once dormant, is being re-examined for sustainable cobalt and copper extraction under strict environmental safeguards. Local universities — Makerere, Kyambogo, and Mbarara University of Science and Technology — are developing research hubs for battery chemistry, recycling, and renewable integration.
Circular Economy in Motion
A key innovation comes from PowerX Uganda, a startup piloting battery second-life technology — reusing old EV batteries for solar storage in off-grid schools and health centers. Each refurbished battery pack can store up to 10 kWh of clean power, providing light and refrigeration for remote areas.
> “Every battery deserves two lives,” said PowerX founder Ronald Kato. “What once drove a boda can now power a classroom.”
The approach not only reduces electronic waste but also cuts the cost of solar power for rural communities by nearly 40%.
Global Context & Local Promise
Africa currently accounts for less than 1% of global battery manufacturing, yet holds over half of the world’s cobalt and significant lithium deposits. Uganda’s policy shift positions it as a potential regional hub — linking mineral wealth, manufacturing, and mobility.
Challenges include securing ethical mining practices, waste management, and long-term investor confidence. But as the energy transition deepens, Uganda’s mineral map is being redrawn — not as a resource exporter, but as a green energy innovator.
