04 Nov 2025

The Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU) region has been identified as a promising area for piloting the E-Mobility transformation project.

This was said by the Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe during the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship ministerial forum on manufacturing, which focused on the E-Mobility project.

He said the implementation of the E-Mobility and Metallurgy projects represented the first phase of the ‘True North Projects,’ set to launch this month. The project aims at establishing the country as the regional leader in E-Mobility manufacturing and exports.

“The Ministry embarked on a comprehensive transformation strategy that identifies the Ministry’s True North, a guiding compass to align with NDP12, the National Transformation Strategy, and Vision 2036,” said Mr Mathoothe.

He highlighted that the SPEDU region offered ideal conditions for piloting the project, given its existing industrial infrastructure from the mining era, a skilled and adaptable workforce, and a strategic location connecting regional markets.

He emphasised that the commitment from both government and private sector partners to rebuild Selebi Phikwe as an industrial growth hub also enhanced the case for the town to be the host.

Mr Mathoothe added that this would also enable the SPEDU region to transition from a copper-nickel legacy to a future driven by innovation, clean technology, and value addition.

Furthermore, he stated that the ‘True North’ strategy aimed to position entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and trade as engines for inclusive growth, primarily transforming the country from a consumer of finished goods to a producer and exporter of high-value manufactured products.

The assistant minister  called for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to ensure the project’s success, emphasising the importance of entrepreneurial development by integrating local entrepreneurs, suppliers, and service providers into the electric vehicle (EV) value chain.

The forum was set to develop an actionable plan to unlock the potential of metallurgical manufacturing and the EV value chain, leveraging SPEDU’s strategic position as a hub for green industrialisation and sustainable development, focusing on employment creation and export growth.

It also marked the start of a coordinated national effort to revitalise the country’s manufacturing base, unlock local potential, and support the country’s Reset and Transformation Agenda.

For his part, SPEDU acting CEO, Mr Othata Batsetswe expressed optimism about the project’s success and its goal to advance industrialisation, build climate resilience, and promote technological progress.

He noted that essential minerals such as copper, aluminium, nickel and silver were available to support the growth of the EV industry, adding that the electronic charging systems had been installed at SPEDU, positioning the region to lead in the project’s success. ENDS