Lithium-ion battery recycling is becoming one of the most important parts of Africa’s clean-energy future. Every phone, solar battery, power bank, e-bike and electric vehicle ends its life somewhere, and without proper recycling these batteries turn into dangerous waste.
Recycling solves this by safely collecting old batteries, breaking them down and recovering valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and graphite. Some batteries are even tested, repaired and reused in second-life systems that power homes, shops and mini-grids.
Across Africa, a small but growing group of companies is building the foundation for a real circular battery economy. These are the organisations leading the way.
Here are the Top 5 Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Companies in Africa as of Q4 2025:
— Cwenga LiB (South Africa): Runs a modular lithium-ion recycling pilot in Germiston, Gauteng. Their low-energy hydrometallurgical process recovers lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese without high-heat methods. The company focuses on safe storage, decentralised units and scalable recovery.
— Hinckley E-Waste Recycling (Nigeria): Developing Nigeria’s first commercial lithium-ion and lead-acid recycling plant in Ogun State. Backed by UK partners and private investors, the project will support large-scale battery collection, dismantling and local processing.
— EnviroServ (South Africa): A major African waste-management company handling end-of-life batteries and technical waste. EnviroServ works with international recovery partners and is expanding local capabilities for Li-ion pre-processing, black-mass handling and safer recycling pathways.
— Ace Green Recycling (Africa projects): A global recycling technology firm active in African markets. Ace Green supports e-mobility companies and battery manufacturers by recycling NMC and LFP batteries, including end-of-life packs from African EV and e-bike programmes such as Spiro.
— SLS Energy (Rwanda and regional projects): A leading second-life specialist repurposing used lithium-ion batteries for solar mini-grids, telecom towers and backup systems. Their work extends battery life, reduces e-waste and provides affordable energy solutions before full recycling.
Africa’s battery-recycling sector is still in the early stages, but these companies represent the most credible and operational players driving recovery, material reuse and circular innovation across the continent.
This ranking is based on confirmed operations, announced projects, public documentation, investor updates, company publications and industry reports. Assessment focused on recycling technology, project progress, circular-economy impact and relevance to lithium-ion recovery or repurposing in Africa.
Image Credit: Energy Matters
