US Agrees to Support EV-Battery Plan by Congo, Zambia

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a memorandum of understanding with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to explore ways to support their plan to develop an electric-vehicle value chain together.

The two Central African countries are major producers of copper and cobalt, key metals in electric vehicles and batteries. Earlier this year they created an electric-vehicle battery council to explore the production of batteries in the region.

The plan “opens the door for US and like-minded investment to keep more value added in Africa,” Blinken said at a signing ceremony in Washington on Tuesday with the presidents ...