EIB Global has entered into cooperation agreements with EcoGraf and Andrada Mining to support early-stage graphite and lithium projects in Tanzania and Namibia. The agreements include up to €2 million in EU-funded technical assistance for each company, aimed at advancing these projects from feasibility stages to investment readiness. This initiative aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which seeks to strengthen sustainable critical raw material (CRM) supply chains essential for Europe’s clean-energy transition.
Andrada Mining operates a critical metals project in Namibia. The technical assistance will support the company’s expansion into lithium production by addressing engineering, mineral testing, infrastructure needs, and environmental and social risk assessments. This support is expected to accelerate the project toward investment viability while ensuring strong environmental, social, and governance outcomes.
EcoGraf is developing a natural graphite project in Tanzania, focusing on lithium-ion battery and advanced manufacturing markets. The technical assistance will support preparatory work for processing facilities, sustainable waste and water management, and integration into the EU battery value chain, enhancing both project sustainability and European industrial collaboration.
The support is funded by the European Union through a dedicated facility for critical raw material projects and implemented by EIB Advisory. It emphasizes sustainability, technical feasibility, and closer links with European value chains, aiming to prepare early-stage projects for potential investment implementation in Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific countries.
EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer highlighted that early-stage technical support helps transform promising projects into bankable investments, building sustainable CRM value chains that benefit both Africa and Europe. Andrada Mining and EcoGraf leaders emphasized that the partnership accelerates their strategies and enhances ESG outcomes while contributing to Europe’s green-energy transition.
European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, added that Europe’s growing demand for critical raw materials requires secure, sustainable supply chains. The Global Gateway strategy fosters local value creation, high environmental standards, and reliable access to materials for European industries, demonstrating how cooperation with Africa supports both development and economic security.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, which owns EIB Global, focuses on long-term financing of projects aligned with EU policy priorities, including critical raw materials from mining to processing, recycling, and substitute development. Through EIB Global, the Bank strengthens international partnerships and development finance, supporting projects that promote sustainability, economic growth, and reliable CRM supply chains.
