Sabi's Bold Push: Transforming Africa's Lithium Boom Through Tech Traceability

In a game-changing move for the continent's resource-rich landscape, Nigerian B2B powerhouse Sabi is leading the charge to modernize the lithium trade. The company now powers the export of over 100,000 tons of this battery-metal staple each month across West Africa, cementing its spot among the region's elite players in the sector.

Africa boasts about 30 percent of the planet's vital minerals, including lithium, cobalt, and manganese, all fueling the global rush toward electric vehicles and green energy. Yet the continent snags just 10 to 20 percent of their economic worth, hamstrung by murky dealings, disjointed logistics, and a shadow economy that favors quick cash over sustainable growth.

Sabi is flipping the script with smart tech that injects trust and clarity into these vital supply lines. Starting with lithium, the firm is crafting a blueprint for how Africa can finally claim its slice of the pie.

#### Roots in Resilience, Eyes on Riches

Sabi got its start in 2020, born from the ashes of Rensource, a venture focused on powering Nigeria's bustling informal markets. The pandemic hit hard, upending supply chains and leaving merchants scrambling. Founders Anu Adedoyin Adasolum and Ademola Adesina, known to many as Demmy, quickly retooled their logistics and payment systems to keep businesses humming through the chaos.

What began as a lifeline soon blossomed into a robust B2B ecosystem, dishing out everything from inventory tools to financing for everyday traders. Unlike flashy consumer apps, Sabi zeroed in on the backbone of commerce: the services that let small operators scale up.

Success in everyday goods like snacks, gadgets, and farm produce paved the way for bigger ambitions. "Minerals represent Africa's chance to shine on the world stage," Adasolum shared in a recent chat. "With geopolitics shifting and clean energy demands exploding, we spotted a way to build reliable chains that earn real credibility."

#### Unlocking the Power of Digital Passports

Enter TRACE, Sabi's secret weapon, short for Technology Rails for African Commodities Exchange. This platform slaps a virtual ID on every mineral batch, tracking it from the dusty mine floor to the loading dock. It logs origins, tests purity, and flags compliance with rules from local watchdogs to far-flung buyers in Europe and beyond.

Unlike polished products that ship without a second glance, raw minerals live or die by their backstory. "Buyers need ironclad proof of where it came from and how it was handled," Adasolum pointed out. "TRACE turns guesswork into gospel, wiping out the old fog of shady swaps."

These digital passports create an unbreakable record, spotlighting ethical wins and weeding out the bad apples. "Traceability fixes it all," she added. "We vet every site, audit operations, and timestamp every step. No more hiding in the shadows."

#### Scaling Up: From 50 Tons to Global Reach

The results speak volumes. Sabi's lithium arm has doubled its throughput since early 2025, shuttling 100,000 tons monthly and elbowing into the top tier of West African exporters. But it's not just about the tonnage. Adasolum brushes off flashy sales figures in favor of deeper metrics: verified loads that sail through audits, suppliers pulled into the light of day, and deals that stand tall under scrutiny.

Small-time diggers, often stuck with modest hauls of 50 tons or so, get a massive leg up. Sabi pools their output, runs quality checks, and bundles it for big-league clients craving thousands of tons. "We turn scattered efforts into a steady stream," Adasolum explained. "That's the magic: linking local grit to worldwide deals."

This isn't tech for tech's sake. Sabi layers in hands-on help, from coaching on better processing to deploying experts who swap shovels for machines. Communities once sidelined from the action now ink contracts with global giants, turning raw earth into real revenue.

#### Navigating the Rough Road Ahead

Sabi's footprint spans six nations, from Nigeria to the Democratic Republic of Congo, but hurdles abound. Shaky currencies, spotty roads, and a patchwork of laws slow the rollout. "Global trade in Africa means wrestling with forex headaches daily," Adasolum acknowledged. "We lean on banks to smooth those edges and keep flows steady."

Governments are stepping up too, with Nigeria axing idle mining permits and tightening belts to lure legit investors. The sector, packed with over 40 promising ores, still barely nudges the nation's growth needle. Yet as the world scrambles to secure supplies amid the green shift, traceable African lithium could tip the scales.

China may rule refining for now, but the West is circling with fresh investments. Sabi's edge? Proving provenance that opens doors to premium prices and lasting partnerships. "Clear trails are Africa's golden ticket," Adasolum said. "They let us step into the spotlight, trading smart and fair for generations to come."

With eyes on broader minerals and deeper roots across the map, Sabi isn't just moving tons. It's laying tracks for a trade revolution, one verified shipment at a time.