Strategic Gaps in Indonesia's Nickel and Electric Vehicle Battery Downstreaming: Implications for Investment Readiness

Erwin  Indriyanto; Ahmad Erani  Yustika; Hadi  Prayitno; Dani Setiawan; Dita Nurul Aini Mustika Dewi

doi:10.47313/oikonomia.v22i1.4454

Authors

Erwin Indriyanto Universitas Nasional
Ahmad Erani Yustika Universita Brawijaya
Hadi Prayitno The Reform Initiatives Indonesia
Dani Setiawan UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta
Dita Nurul Aini Mustika Dewi Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis Universitas Nasional

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47313/oikonomia.v22i1.4454

Abstract

Purpose This study examines the strategic gaps affecting investment readiness in Indonesia’s nickel and electric vehicle (EV) battery downstreaming ecosystem. Methodology: The study employed a qualitative descriptive design with a comparative approach. Data were obtained from policy and industry documents, academic literature, international benchmarking of China, South Korea, Chile, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and interviews with two key industry informants. The Public Governance Canvas was operationalized as an Investment–Governance Canvas to analyze regulatory, institutional, financing, and project-readiness conditions. Findings Six interrelated gaps were identified: financing, technology, energy and ESG, regulatory and institutional arrangements, human capital, and infrastructure and logistics. The financing gap reflects not only limited capital, but also unresolved non-financial risks that weaken project bankability. The study’s novelty lies in integrating these gaps within an investment-readiness perspective rather than treating them as isolated constraints. Suggestion Future research should involve broader stakeholders and develop measurable indicators of investment readiness across projects and regions.

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