Green and Transition Metals Boom

In 2025, the global economy is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the boom in green and transition metals—critical minerals such as lithium (Zimbabwe), copper (DRC & Zambia), nickel (SA, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania & Zambia) , cobalt (70% of world's cobalt hails from the DRC), graphite (Tanzania, Mozambique), and rare earth elements (SA, Tanzania, Zambia & Namibia) are essential for the energy transition. These materials power electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy infrastructure, batteries, and advanced technologies, fuelling unprecedented demand amid accelerating decarbonization efforts.

The primary driver is the rapid expansion of clean energy technologies. Electric vehicle adoption has surged, with battery demand pushing lithium and cobalt requirements higher, while copper — vital for electrification and grid upgrades —has seen prices soar by 30% this year. Bloomberg NEF (New Energy Finance) reports sharp increases in demand for copper, graphite, aluminium, lithium, cobalt, and manganese, straining global supply chains.

This boom is reshaping economies on multiple fronts. Mining nations like Australia, Chile, Indonesia, and parts of Africa are experiencing economic windfalls through expanded operations and foreign investments, creating jobs and boosting GDP. Record-level spending on energy and natural resources, exceeding USD 1.5 trillion as projected by the World Economic Forum, underscores the sector's growth. However, importing nations face challenges: price volatility contributes to inflationary pressures, while geopolitical tensions rise over supply concentration—China dominates rare earth processing as they control over 90% of the world’s processing capacity.

Ultimately, the 2025 metals boom accelerates the shift toward a low-carbon economy, fostering innovation and strategic competition. Yet, balancing supply security, affordability, and sustainability will determine whether this reshapes the global order equitably or exacerbates inequalities.