ALGIERS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Algeria's Energy Ministry announced Saturday that the state-owned mining group Sonarem has signed a "strategic" agreement with renowned battery expert Karim Zaghib to develop a complete lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery value chain in the country.
According to a statement by the ministry, the partnership covers the full production cycle of LFP batteries, from raw material extraction to battery component manufacturing, with an initial focus on developing domestic production capabilities for LFP cathodes.
Zaghib, with three decades of experience in energy storage technologies, expressed confidence in Algeria's industrial transformation. "With proper investment in skills and infrastructure, Algeria could emerge as a significant regional player in battery production," he said.
Sonarem CEO Belkacem Soltani described the initiative as "a historic opportunity" to foster Algeria's industrial capabilities in high-tech manufacturing.
Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab emphasized the project's alignment with national goals for energy independence and economic diversification, saying, "We're combining our mineral resources with world-class expertise to build a sustainable, technology-driven industry."
