South Africa presents a significant investment opportunity in the processing of battery-grade nickel and manganese, valued between £630 million and £1.35 billion by 2030. This potential is underpinned by the country’s rich mineral reserves, established industrial base, and incentives offered through Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The Growth Gateway programme team, in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group, prepared the presentation and summary to make a robust investment case for South Africa’s critical minerals processing sector, focusing on high-grade nickel and manganese. The document quantifies the economic opportunity, benchmarks South Africa’s competitive advantages, and highlights a curated pipeline of investment-ready projects.
The report also addresses key risks, including energy security, infrastructure limitations, and technology dependency, while emphasizing the strengths of South Africa’s industrial ecosystem. SEZ incentives and the country’s ongoing renewable energy transition are presented as strategic enablers that can attract international investment. By encouraging partnerships and investment in midstream processing capacity, the document aims to position South Africa to meet growing global demand for battery-grade materials and strengthen its role in the critical minerals value chain.