Browsing: Tesla in Africa

The sale of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is booming in the transport industry of the developed world, and now Africa wants a bigger chunk of the US$400 billion industry. Photo/HorizonPower
  • Lithium battery industry to grow over 30 percent annually from 2022 to 2030
  • Market value for lithium batteries to exceed US$400 billion by 2030
  • DRC, Zambia and Tanzania looking to refine cobalt, manufacture lithium batteries

The sale of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is booming in the transport industry of the developed world, and now Africa wants in.

Rather than continue to supply raw materials for the making of the electric vehicle, countries like DRC, Zambia, and Tanzania, want to refine the ores and even manufacture the final product, lithium batteries.

Their ambitions are well placed because the lithium battery industry is booming and will only keep growing. A 2022 analysis by the McKinsey Battery Insights team projected that the entire lithium-ion battery chain, from mining through recycling, could grow by over 30 percent annually by 2030 when it would reach a value of more than US$400 billion.

“Batteries for mobility applications, …

The Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA), has said Elon Musk's Starlink, the company that would provide the satellite internet services to remote areas in Tanzania, needs only to complete the required procedure to set up shop in the country. Photo/Sky News

Elon Musk applied for licensing to provide Tanzania with satellite Internet services; that was last year. This year, the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA), has said, Musk’s Starlink, the company that provides the satellite internet services, needs only to complete the required procedure to set up shop in the country.

This response by Tanzania to Elon Musk’s application has stirred up controversy on Twitter with executives from both sides raising allegations and counter-allegations.

On Elon Musk’s side, you have allegations of foul play by existing telecom giants in Tanzania lobbying to keep his Starlink from entering the market.

Also Read: Nickel: Africa’s new opportunity as Russia-Ukraine crisis rages on

On Tanzania’s side, you have authorities playing it safe with a clean-cut statement saying Elon Musk’s Starlink needs only to comply with the country’s regulation requirements, otherwise, Starlink is more than welcome to enter the market.

If the Twitter exchange is

Tesla's gift to short sellers
  • Shares of Tesla the pioneer of electric vehicles fell spectacularly in 2022. This trend was the same for auto shares which list substantial amounts of value during the year.
  • Tesla despite its anemic showing in terms of share price performance managed to deliver a record number of EVs.
  • The EV company increased production of its products by as much as 40%.
  • This impressive development by Tesla failed to excite the market which hammered the share price resulting in the EV company shedding 64% of its value in 2022.
  • Notwithstanding the skepticism from the market Tesla has been making positive strides with its Gigafactory initiatives.
  • Africa has been the focus of the Gigafactory initiatives by Tesla. A Gigafactory is a massive manufacturing facility that aims to speed up and scale up the manufacture of electric vehicles.
  • The Gigafactory concept will contribute substantially to the economic wellbeing of African countries where Tesla
Powerwall tilted

Tesla Powerwall, the battery system produced by the American automotive and energy company Tesla has made significant in roads in Africa.

This follows the successful completion of a 12-month trial integrating of the Tesla Powerwall with one of Africa’s largest telecommunication provider, Econet.  This will see Econet’s telecommunication towers to provide backup power 260 Econet sites across Africa.

In addition Distributed Power Africa [DPA], a subsidiary of Econet Global, will be installing Tesla Powerwalls to power Econet Wireless’ local operations for their telecommunications towers; commencing one of Africa’s largest deployments of AC coupled Lithium-ion batteries in the telecoms sector.

“We were impressed with the performance of Tesla Powerwall during the trial stage. It addresses the power back up requirements, offers 100% depth of discharge and has a wide temperature operating range. It also offers real time monitoring and will help mitigate against current battery theft issues being experience with lead …