On August 18, 2025, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) made waves with the announcement of a nearly $1 billion funding package, a move set to reshape the global landscape for critical minerals and the rapidly growing electric mobility sector. The DOE’s package, which dedicates over $500 million to battery materials processing, manufacturing, and recycling, marks a strategic effort to shore up domestic supply chains for minerals essential to clean energy technologies. But while the focus is on American soil, the ripple effects are already being felt in Africa, a continent rich in the minerals that power the world’s electric future.
According to the DOE, this initiative aims to reduce U.S. dependence on imports and increase control over resources vital for clean technologies. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the funding as a bid to “reshore” critical materials supply chains and end reliance on “foreign actors.” The program is a direct response to China’s dominance in refining and processing minerals like lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, and rare earths—resources at the heart of battery production and the clean energy transition.
Yet, while the U.S. is investing heavily at home, the implications for Africa are profound. Countries such as Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, and Mozambique currently supply large quantities of lithium, cobalt, manganese, and other minerals essential for batteries. As the U.S. seeks to capture more of the value chain through domestic processing and recycling, African exporters face a pivotal moment. Will they remain mere suppliers of raw materials, or seize the chance to move up the value chain?
Zimbabwe, for one, has already taken bold steps by banning the export of unprocessed lithium, hoping to encourage domestic beneficiation. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers another opportunity, connecting mining nations with industrial hubs like South Africa to create integrated regional supply chains. The African Development Bank has also called for increased investment in refining and processing facilities, arguing that this is the only way African countries can capture more economic value and generate jobs from the green transition.
But there’s another twist to this story. As the U.S. channels hundreds of millions into recycling technologies, Africa risks falling behind in this crucial area. Without large-scale recycling systems, the continent could face mounting environmental hazards from discarded batteries, even as it continues to export virgin minerals to the rest of the world. The U.S. investment underscores a simple truth: control over minerals is as much about politics and security as it is about powering the next generation of vehicles and infrastructure.
While policymakers and institutions wrestle with these big-picture questions, a parallel revolution is unfolding on the ground in Africa’s cities and towns. On the very same day as the DOE’s announcement, Ampersand, a pioneering African electric mobility company, revealed it had closed a major funding round to scale operations across East Africa. The round includes significant working capital from British International Investment (BII), as well as equity investments from Seedstars Africa Ventures, Gaia Impact, Rwanda Green Fund, Raspberry Syndicate, and others.
The numbers are impressive. Ampersand plans to double its battery fleet size by early 2026, aiming to deliver over 35,000 battery swaps daily and power thousands more drivers with electric motorcycles. The company already provides over 20,000 battery swaps daily from a fleet of over 8,000 batteries, supporting more than 6,000 electric motorcycles that collectively cover over 900,000 kilometers each day—roughly 90 times the length of Africa itself.
The scale of the opportunity is staggering. Nearly 30 million motorcycles are used as taxis across Africa, with almost 99% still running on internal combustion engines. The shift to electric motorcycles isn’t just about cleaner air; it’s about economics. According to Ampersand, their electric motorcycles can double riders’ take-home earnings compared to petrol-powered alternatives, while cutting over 90% of tailpipe emissions. “This funding marks a powerful vote of confidence in our mission to electrify Africa’s most important form of transport,” said Josh Whale, CEO of Ampersand. “With support from BII, Seedstars Africa Ventures, Gaia Impact, and Raspberry Syndicate, and ongoing support from our committed investors, we can double our battery fleet size by early 2026, delivering over 35,000 battery swaps daily and powering thousands of drivers with a cleaner, cheaper, and better-performing alternative to petrol motorcycles.”
Unit economics are key in driving adoption. With the removal of fuel subsidies, motorcycle taxi riders are feeling the pinch, and Ampersand’s solution offers real relief. The company’s vertically integrated model—combining battery packs, proprietary software, and a network of swap stations—provides an affordable, scalable alternative to traditional fueling. “Electric mobility is a game-changer for inclusive, low-carbon growth, particularly in East Africa,” said Seema Dhanani, Regional Director, East Africa and Head of Office, Kenya at BII. “Our investment in Ampersand reflects BII’s commitment to backing climate innovation that delivers real impact—supporting livelihoods, reducing emissions, and helping Africa lead in sustainable transport.”
The business model is winning over investors and customers alike. Ampersand’s batteries have a 99% active rate after 18 months, and the company boasts a customer revenue retention rate of over 100%. It now collaborates with seven motorcycle brands developing vehicles compatible with its energy solution. “Their electric motorbikes are purpose-built for local conditions and already in widespread commercial use. But equally impressive is the team’s ability to execute in a complex operating environment, scale efficiently, and deliver measurable impact,” said Maxime Bouan, General Partner at Seedstars Africa Ventures.
As Ampersand scales in Rwanda and Kenya, it’s also forging global partnerships—most notably with BYD, a major player in battery production and innovation. “Ampersand is a true first mover, fast scaling company in the African electric mobility sector,” said Guilhem Dupuy, Partner at Gaia Impact. “Ampersand managed to consolidate its head start to offer now a unique set of features: great commercial traction, customer centric mindset, extremely robust proprietary technology stack with a demonstrated ability to turn batteries into bankable financial assets, which would have been unthinkable in the energy space even a couple of years ago.”
But the story doesn’t end with one company or one funding round. The broader question remains: as the U.S. and other global powers race to secure critical minerals and build domestic industries, will Africa be left behind, or will it seize the moment to build its own integrated value chains? The answer may depend on how quickly African nations can invest in refining, processing, and recycling—and how effectively they can leverage the entrepreneurial spirit already driving the electric mobility revolution on their streets.
For now, the continent stands at a crossroads. The choices made today—by policymakers, investors, and innovators alike—will determine whether Africa remains a supplier of raw materials or emerges as a full participant in the global battery and electric mobility economy. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the world is watching.
