cover of episode In China’s Wake, India Tries a Cleaner, Fairer Mineral Path in Africa

In China’s Wake, India Tries a Cleaner, Fairer Mineral Path in Africa

2025/4/3
logo of podcast The China in Africa Podcast

The China in Africa Podcast
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The recent announcement of significant tariffs imposed by the US on several African countries has sparked discussions about its potential effects on global trade and the relationships between African nations and other global powers. The impact on South Africa is of particular interest, given its existing geopolitical tensions and its role as a producer of crucial minerals for the US auto industry. The tariffs are expected to lead to a decline in US-Africa trade and may prompt African countries to seek alternative partnerships.
  • US tariffs on African countries, particularly South Africa, Lesotho, and Madagascar.
  • Significant impact on US-Africa trade, especially in minerals.
  • African countries exploring diversified partnerships, including with India.

Shownotes Transcript

In January, the Indian government published a new critical minerals strategy that details how the country aims to bolster supply chains necessary for its green energy transition. While the report underscores the importance of developing domestic supplies of lithium and other transition resources, it also calls for closer international partnerships, particularly with mineral-rich African nations.

India has deep ties in Africa, particularly in eastern and southern countries on the continent, but it is a newcomer to the critical resources sector that is largely dominated by Chinese and European companies.

Veda Vaidyanathan, an accomplished China-Africa scholar and an associate fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress in New Delhi, joins Eric & Géraud to explain how India's approach to critical resource mining in Africa is going to look very different from what China is doing.

Show Notes:

  • Centre for Social and Economic Progress: India, Africa and Critical Minerals: Towards a Green Energy Partnership) by Veda Vaidyanathan
  • Reuters: India exploring critical minerals in Zambia, Congo and Australia, official says) by Neha Arora

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