Discours de Ritish Ramful lors du « Workshop on Circular economy and the role of Trade Policy in Mauritius for Lithium-Ion battery waste »

Ritish Ramful rassurant que Maurice s'engage à gérer les déchets de batteries lithium ion via sa politique commerciale

Le ministre des Affaires Etrangères a prononcé un discours lors de la cérémonie d’ouverture de cet atelier de travail dont la cérémonie d’ouvrture a eu lieu pendant la matinée du 5 mars 2025 à Le Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, Port-Louis

the role of trade policy in addressing lithium-ion battery waste in Mauritius. The presence of such a diverse group of experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and environmental advocates highlights the urgency and significance of this issue on our national agenda.

In line with the Government Programme 2025-2029, the Government is committed to developing transformative new sectors while advancing Mauritius as a green economy that encourages recycling and fosters a circular economy. The approach not only reduces environmental strain but also creates green jobs. We remain steadfast in strengthening policies that integrate circular economy principles into our trade and environmental strategies.As we transition towards a more sustainable future, the circular economy has emerged as a vital framework for responsible waste management and resource optimization. Recognizing this, Mauritius, with the support of UNEP, developed a comprehensive Roadmap and Action Plan on Circular Economy (2023-2033). This roadmap aims to transition Mauritius from a linear economy marked by dependencies and vulnerabilities to a circular and resilient one.

Ladies and Gentlemen
Mauritius is fortunate to be a beneficiary of the Climate Competitiveness Project, funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC). This initiative aims to support developing countries in assessing the role that trade and trade policy can play in helping them meet climate mitigation and adaptation objectives. Addressing lithium-ion battery waste is an urgent necessity, as these batteries are essential for clean energy transitions but pose significant environmental and economic challenges at the end of their life cycle.
As Mauritius embraces renewable energy solutions and electric mobility, we must proactively address the increasing volume of lithium-ion battery waste. Improper disposal can lead to environmental hazards, including soil and water contamination and the release of harmful substances. Thus, a sustainable battery waste management approach is critical.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today we would focus on a specific area of circular economy approaches that we believe will benefit from deeper discussion on the issue of lithium-ion battery end-of-life management and recycling in Mauritius. As electric vehicles (EVs) become more widespread, the demand and production of EV batteries will rise, leading to increased demand for critical minerals. Simultaneously, early EV batteries will begin reaching the end of their lifecycle. According to estimates, 800,000 tons of EV batteries globally are expected to reach end of life by 2027 which present a huge opportunity for impactful second-life application component critical minerals. Given that these minerals are finite resources and their extraction has considerable environmental impacts, battery recycling offers a viable solution to preserve natural resources while supporting the circular economy.

At the Continental level, African nations are also aiming to expand their battery recycling capabilities in response to the rising use of electronic devices. New recycling plants have been announced across West Africa and in South Africa to address this growing need.

Currently, Africa generates about 3 megatons of electronic waste per year, with only 20 % of it being recycled globally. This includes lithium-ion batteries, which are costly to produce but can be recycled to recover valuable materials and reduce energy storage costs by up to 70%. Several African start-ups are tackling this challenge by recycling and using these batteries to develop energy storage solutions and support local industries.

While Africa currently faces challenges in positioning itself as a leader in battery recycling due to limited waste management schemes, it is crucial to develop a strategic plan for handling battery recycling. Effective management of battery recycling is essential to mitigate environmental impacts and continue to attract investment.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Mauritius, as a small island developing state, faces the challenge of achieving economies of scale for battery recycling and reuse. Regional collaboration could enable the country to overcome these barriers, strengthen circularity efforts, and realize ambitious climate action goals.
However, building economies of scale through regional cooperation presents trade-related challenges. The reverse supply chain for batteries is cumbersome and costly, partly due to how end-of-life batteries are classified by customs – often as hazardous waste. The Basel Convention regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, and while many countries are signatories, there remains uncertainty regarding whether end-of-life batteries should be classified as hazardous. Addressing this classification issue is crucial for facilitating battery recycling efforts through trade policy.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
By fostering regional cooperation, promoting sustainable trade practices, and ensuring compliance with global environmental standards, trade policies can facilitate efficient waste management systems, encourage investment in recycling technologies, and support the creation of green jobs.
The Government remains committed in actively exploring ways to support research and innovation in battery recycling and repurposing technologies, strengthen public-private partnerships to develop a sustainable recycling infrastructure and engage with regional and international partners to align our policies with best practices and global standards.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
This workshop marks a crucial step forward, as the ITC will present findings on how trade policy can support lithium-ion battery waste management in Mauritius. It also serves as a platform for industry and government representatives to identify strategic actions to leverage trade and trade policy in strengthening the circular economy. I encourage all participants to engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and propose actionable recommendations to help Mauritius develop an effective and sustainable framework for lithium-ion battery waste management.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Our journey towards sustainability is a collective effort. Through strong collaboration, innovative solutions, and well-aligned policies, we can turn the challenges of battery waste into opportunities for economic growth, environmental preservation, and social well-being.
I wish you all a productive and insightful workshop. Thank you.