"The population of Africa will double by 2045. It will be a large market," he noted while delivering his remarks at the International Battery Summit in Jakarta on Monday.
Therefore, Indonesia is intensively pursuing cooperation with countries in Africa.
Pandjaitan said that to build cooperation he had earlier visited Africa to foster communication regarding the EV industry.
"They view Indonesia as a country that can help them with electric vehicles," he added.
He said that he will further discuss the plan for cooperation in the EV sector with African countries at the Indonesia-Africa Forum in September 2024.
"We will be happy to build collaboration with them, especially Kenya and South Africa," he added.
Related news: Indonesia-made batteries can cut EV prices by 30 percent: Minister
According to the minister, Indonesia has already established various collaborations with countries in Africa. One such collaboration has been forged between state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina and Kenya.
"Pertamina and (Indonesia's state-run electricity company) PLN's (cooperation) in South Africa has also been carried out. We are also inviting the World Bank and Africa; we'll see," he said.
Meanwhile, the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister's special staff for acceleration of energy and mineral resources industry development, Agus Tjahajana Wirakusumah, said that Africa has better potential in cobalt compared to Indonesia.
Thus, in addition to targeting Africa as a market for EV batteries, Indonesia can pursue cooperation with African countries to tap into their cobalt potential, he added.
Related news: Indonesia ready to mass produce EV batteries in April 2024
Translator: Putu Indah, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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