Panashe Madamombe is an associate researcher at Leiden Asia Centre, undertaking research on Japan and Africa, thanks to a grant from the Ailion Foundation. He graduated from the African Studies Research Master at the African Studies Centre Leiden, with a thesis that explores the industrial linkages between Japan and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in the 20th century. Panashe’s current research focuses on the growing competition for critical minerals in Africa. He explores the strategies Japanese and Chinese firms are utilising to secure lithium supplies for manufacturing batteries used in electric vehicles and electrical devices.