Does the demand for electric vehicles represent a risk or opportunity for Africa?

A few weeks ago the United States President Joe Biden said he wants at least two thirds of new vehicles sold in the US to be electric within a decade. The government say this is about positioning America to drive the electric vehicle future forward, outcompeting China, and tackling the climate crisis.

It’s a message which puts Africa in a unique position.

Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have large reserves of copper and cobalt, two crucial components needed to make the batteries for electric vehicles. DRCongo is currently the world’s top producer of cobalt.

Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja has been looking at whether this all represents an opportunity or risk for the continent.