Evion partners with EU advisers to fast-track Madagascar’s Maniry graphite project amid rising European demand for non-Chinese critical minerals.
Australia-listed Evion Group has formally begun collaboration with advisers and funding institutions from the European Union (EU) to expedite the development of its Maniry graphite project in Madagascar. This move follows the project’s designation under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, which identifies strategic resources essential to Europe’s green transition and energy security. Notably, Maniry is the only graphite development in Africa to receive such recognition, marking it as a key asset in Europe’s evolving battery materials supply chain.
David Round, Managing Director of Evion, emphasized the significance of this achievement. “Maniry is the only graphite project in Africa recognized under the EU Critical Resource Development Programme. This milestone has significantly raised the project’s international profile and strategic relevance,” he stated. Round also confirmed that discussions with EU advisers and officials have been particularly productive, with the EU Critical Minerals Advisory team providing essential support to accelerate the project’s timeline.
Evion executives held a series of meetings last week with funding partners endorsed by the EU. These talks covered both project financing and the possibility of securing grant funding for early-stage community development programs, including training and employment initiatives in and around the Maniry region. The company, working closely with EU advisers, is preparing a detailed development submission expected to be filed before the month’s end.
On the regulatory front, Evion is nearing completion of the permitting process with the Malagasy government, including finalizing mining and infrastructure approvals. The company is also deepening engagement with the local Maniry community as it moves toward implementation.
In terms of infrastructure, construction is already underway on a bypass road linking the RN7 highway to Toliara, a southern port critical for graphite exports. This route is anticipated to be ready by mid-2026. Additionally, EU officials are evaluating the feasibility of establishing a new major port on Madagascar’s west coast, which could become a key export hub for Evion’s graphite, potentially reducing shipping costs and increasing logistical efficiency.
Evion also stands to benefit from the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between Madagascar and the EU in 2007. Under this agreement, Malagasy products, including graphite, enjoy duty-free, quota-free access to EU markets, assuming compliance with rules-of-origin regulations. This long-standing partnership strengthens the case for integrating Maniry into the EU’s critical minerals ecosystem.
As Madagascar emerges as the largest graphite producer outside China, Evion anticipates growing global demand for non-Chinese sources of supply, driven by geopolitical concerns and the need for supply chain diversification.
