Africa's First Multi-Chemistry Battery Cell Manufacturer
Powering Africa's Futurewith Next-GenerationStorage Solutions.
Vermicom Incorporated is building Africa's first multi-chemistry battery cell manufacturing plant at the Coega Special Economic Zone, South Africa — producing Zinc-Air, Lithium-ion and Sodium-ion cells to localise the continent's energy storage supply chain.
R0 Billion
Estimated 2025 SADC lithium-ion battery import bill — a growing drain on foreign reserves
0
Cell chemistries produced — Zinc-Air, Li-ion, Na-ion
0st
Multi-chemistry cell plant on the African continent
0 GWh
Target annual cell manufacturing capacity at full ramp
The Problem
The Energy Storage Import Crisis
Southern Africa relies almost entirely on imported battery cells. As utility-scale BESS and electric-vehicle uptake scale, demand for storage is compounding — yet no local cell production exists to capture this value.
At an estimated R60 billion for 2025 alone, the lithium-ion battery import bill is a growing drain on foreign reserves — a strategic liability that does not have to exist. South Africa holds the minerals, the energy, the ports and the skills to close this gap domestically.
SADC lithium-ion battery import value· R billion (nominal)
Illustrative trend based on industry trade-data reporting (Montmasson-Clair; TradeMap & Quanec).
The Solution
Localized Manufacturing & Beneficiation
Instead of exporting raw minerals and importing finished cells, Vermicom turns domestic and regional resources into high-value battery materials in-country — capturing value, creating skills and shortening the supply chain.
Manganese
South Africa holds the world's largest manganese reserves — essential for Na-ion and Li-ion cathode chemistries.
Lithium
Zimbabwe lithium feeds locally-sourced LFP (Li-ion) cathode production.
Zinc
South Africa and Namibia supply the zinc underpinning our long-duration Zinc-Air fuel cells.
Graphite
Mozambique and Madagascar provide graphite for anode active material production.
Product Portfolio
Three Chemistries. One Plant. Full Duration Coverage.
By co-locating three complementary chemistries, Vermicom covers the full storage spectrum — from hours to days — under a single quality and supply system.
First-Mover Advantage
Top 6 global gigafactory brands — none currently active in Africa.
The African storage market is being served entirely through imports. Vermicom's plant at Coega positions it as the first mover in a market of 1.4 billion people — with a logistics, tariff and beneficiation advantage that late entrants cannot easily replicate.
Why South Africa
The Most Logically Sited Battery Plant on the Continent
Mineral endowment
World's largest manganese reserves; lithium, zinc, graphite and sodium feedstocks regionally secure.
Energy resources
Among the highest solar PV potential globally, with a renewables build-out driving storage demand.
Proximity to demand
The Port of Ngqura (Coega) is a world-class logistics hub — components in, cells out for export.
Progressive policies
Strong government support for the NEV roadmap and the Battery Minerals Masterplan.
Skills pipeline
Excellent local engineering universities (NMU, SU, UCT) and 8 global vehicle OEMs.
Viable domestic demand
A large BESS pipeline from Eskom, municipalities and IPPs, plus established manufacturing.
The Site
Coega Special Economic Zone & the Port of Ngqura
A fully-serviced, 9,000+ hectare industrial zone with its own deep-water port, energy security programme, Customs Controlled Area and 15% corporate tax incentive — engineered for exactly this kind of plant.
Explore the Coega PlantStrategic Partnerships
Anchored by Category-Leading Counterparties
Vermicom has received Letters of Intent (LoIs) and expressions of interest from the strategic entities below; identities and terms are shared under NDA.
Partner
South African Renewable IPP Consortium
Partner
Mureza Auto Company
Partner
African Telecommunications Giant
Partner
Industrial & Chemical Group
Partner
Custom Supply Chain
Partner
South African Renewable IPP Consortium
Partner
Mureza Auto Company
Partner
African Telecommunications Giant
Partner
Industrial & Chemical Group
Partner
Custom Supply Chain
Project Roadmap
From Feasibility to First Cells
2026–2026
Feasibility Study & Fundraising
Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) and Front-End Engineering Design for a 1–5 GWh facility.
2027–2027
Phase 1 — Assembly & Test (Pilot Line)
Pilot cell assembly and test; sourcing local Li-ion component supply.
2028–2028
Phase 2 — Electrode Fabrication (Off-Grid)
Onsite electrode production and expansion, powered off-grid.
2029–2029
Full Production Scale — 5 GWh
Full-scale production of Li-ion, Na-ion and Zinc-Air cells at 5 GWh.
Africa's First Multi-Chemistry Battery Cell Manufacturer
“Sustainable progress is built where innovation, partnership, and purpose come together to create lasting value for generations.”
- Renewable Energy
- Sustainable Minerals
- Strategic Partners
- Job Creation & Skills
- Funding