Cobalt and Lithium: Lives in the EV Mineral Rush

Episode Narrative

In the heart of Africa, a mineral rush is silently reshaping the lives of millions. From the cobalt-laden mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the lithium deposits in Manono, a complex tapestry of opportunity and exploitation unfolds. This is a story about more than resources; it is about the aspirations and struggles of a continent caught between economic promise and stark reality.

The period from 1991 to 2010 marked a significant shift in Sub-Saharan Africa. Economic growth accelerated, a beacon of hope for many. Yet, beneath the surface lay a harsher truth. Structural transformation — a move from agriculture to industry and services — lagged behind other regions. Most workers found themselves trapped in low-productivity agriculture or informal sectors. This limited upward mobility for both rural and urban populations, leaving a vast majority struggling to break free from the cycle of poverty.

Vast disparities emerged, revealing a troubling landscape. Between 1993 and 2008, consumption inequality within African nations often surpassed inequality between them. In some countries, the richest 10% consumed twenty times more than the poorest 10%. This stark divide underscored a reality where economic growth often benefited a select few rather than the collective population. As urban centers became epicenters for investment and skilled labor, they also attracted the marginalized, the informal workers who flocked to cities hoping to improve their fortunes. Yet, urbanization increased income inequality, pushing many into overcrowded informal settlements, shadowed by the wealth of the elite.

The late 1990s ushered in narratives of a rising middle class across Africa. Yet, these stories were often superficial. Empirical studies challenged this narrative, exposing the insecurities that plagued many people within this supposed middle class. With limited formal social protection, vulnerability to economic shocks became a reality for many. Underneath the gloss of economic progress, the fear of falling back into poverty loomed large for countless families.

As the 2000s progressed, the persistent gender pay gap remained a glaring issue. Despite the structural changes in economies, many women found themselves disproportionately represented in informal, low-paid, and unpaid sectors, even as some managed to enter formal employment. This uneven landscape showcased how economic transformation did little to rectify deep-seated inequalities. Women continued to bear the brunt of socio-economic struggles, their contributions undervalued and unrecognized.

In the dynamic world of finance, a revolution was unfolding. Between 2010 and 2025, mobile payment platforms, such as M-Pesa, emerged as tools of inclusion. They promised financial liberation, reshaping daily economic life for millions. Yet, these innovations also enabled new forms of debt and consumptive pressures, particularly among urban middle and working-class individuals, exposing them to vulnerabilities.

Artisanal cobalt miners in Kolwezi, DRC, became emblematic of this paradox. They supplied up to 30% of global cobalt, a critical component in electric vehicles. Yet, many worked in hazardous, informal conditions, exploited by middlemen and militia groups, reaping little benefit from the rising demand. As the world moved toward greener technologies, the miners remained on the fringes, their hardships overshadowed by the glamour of electric cars.

Attempts to bring accountability and transparency into the mining sector emerged. Technologies like blockchain and QR codes were piloted in the DRC and Zambia to track so-called “conflict-free” minerals. However, gaps in implementation often left most artisanal miners outside formal systems, perpetuating a vicious cycle of informality and risk. For many, these initiatives felt more like distant promises than concrete realities.

It was not only the miners feeling the impact of systemic inequities. Community activists and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) took up the mantle, campaigning for safer working conditions, fairer prices, and greater environmental accountability. But their efforts were often met with resistance from powerful state and corporate interests, limiting meaningful change. The struggle for justice and equity became a relentless march uphill, with activists navigating a landscape fraught with challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which struck the world between 2010 and 2025, only deepened existing inequalities. While digital and formal sector workers found relative insulation from the upheaval, informal workers bore the brunt of lockdowns, their livelihoods teetering on the edge. It was a stark reminder that in a world of technological advancement, not all were privileged to participate in the promise of progress.

Despite rhetoric claiming inclusivity, social protection coverage in many Sub-Saharan African countries remained troublingly low and unequal. The poorest quintiles often found it significantly harder to access government support compared to their wealthier counterparts. This created a chasm that echoed in the lives of many, a disconnect between policy intentions and the lived experiences of the vulnerable.

In South Africa, the emergence of a Black middle class brought mixed outcomes. While it did contribute to narrowing some racial health and life expectancy gaps, it also reinforced income-based inequalities within the Black population. The complexities of class mobility revealed the nuanced challenges that accompanied economic advancement.

Educational mobility showed some promise, with expanded access to schooling improving opportunities for younger generations. Yet, the reality remained that parental education continued to heavily influence children’s outcomes, perpetuating a cycle of inequality. An educated parent could often afford a better future for their child, while those without such advantages remained trapped in a relentless cycle.

Foreign direct investment and trade openness were prevalent during this time, often celebrated as indicators of growth. But these investments were often correlated with higher income inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa. The benefits primarily accrued to urban professionals and elites, leaving many rural and informal workers behind.

The informal economy, a cornerstone of employment for over 80% of the working class in some countries, lingered in the shadows. Artisanal mining, street vending, and other informal avenues provided livelihoods, yet these workers lacked legal protections and social safety nets. Their contributions remained invisible, a haunting reminder that behind the narrative of economic growth lay the reality of precarious existence.

In Kenya and Nigeria, a tide of youth-led protests began to emerge against regressive tax policies. These protests were not just about immediate grievances; they reflected a growing class consciousness and digital mobilization among educated urban youth. They stood up, challenging the elite capture of policy, demanding recognition and accountability.

The narrative of “Africa Rising,” while prominent, coexisted with fragility. Armed conflict, climate shocks, and volatility in commodity pricing — especially cobalt and lithium — could swiftly reverse the gains made by the vulnerable. The specter of “green colonialism” loomed large, raising questions about who benefits from the so-called energy transition. As lithium projects in Manono and cobalt in Kolwezi became flashpoints of debate, issues of local benefit-sharing and ethics found their way to the forefront.

The human toll of industrialization became increasingly clear. In rural Kenyan communities transitioning to wage labor, the stresses of industrialization manifested as health crises, mental health issues, and alcohol abuse. These were the human costs of economic transformations that often prioritized growth over the well-being of the working class.

Fiscal policies intended to promote inclusive growth faced limitations due to gaps in implementation and resistance from the elite. As progressive taxation and social spending measures struggled to find their footing, the promise of equity seemed ever elusive.

Between 2020 and 2025, the ongoing mineral rush intensified scrutiny on mining communities. Global attention shifted toward Africa's resources, spurred by the rising demand for electric vehicles. Yet, while the world celebrated the transition to greener technologies, those who labored in the mines continued to grapple with systemic challenges.

The contrast between the tech-laden urban centers and the impoverished mining communities is striking. Here lies the paradox: as the world embraces a new age of electrification, those who extract the very materials that fuel this revolution often remain marginalized.

This is not just a narrative of minerals and markets; it’s about real lives caught in the crosshairs of ambition and exploitation. It compels us to ask difficult questions about our complicity in this global story. As we ponder the future, we must confront the legacies of our choices and the lives impacted by this unyielding rush for progress.

What does it mean to move forward, harnessing the potential of a continent while addressing the scars of its past? The stories of cobalt and lithium are not merely tales of wealth or progress; they are reflections of our shared humanity, urging us to seek justice, equity, and a rightful place for all in the dawn of a new era.