The development of downstream investment realization in Indonesia is on an upward trend. One commodity that investors are interested in is nickel.

Throughout 2024, the realization of nickel downstream investment amounted to IDR 153.2 trillion. Until the first quarter of 2025, the realization was recorded at IDR 47.82 trillion. This amount is the largest compared to downstream investments in fellow mineral commodities such as copper, bauxite, steel, tin and others.

The nickel industry is one of the prima donnas of investment that has a considerable multiplier effect. Based on the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association report in early July, in the period 2020 to the third quarter of 2024 the total investment realization of this industry reached IDR 514.8 trillion.

There are 194 companies engaged in this business and are able to absorb around 193,000 workers. During the same period, the production capacity of the main component of the electric vehicle battery manufacturing industry amounted to 44,959 KTPA.

With its resources, Indonesia already dominates the global market and can set its own prices. In 2018, Indonesia only controlled 35 percent of the global market for nickel ore production. By 2024, its dominance had become 61 percent and is expected to become 73 percent by 2030.

The export value of the nickel industry in 2023 was US$33.7 billion. The industry's growing prospects will magnify its impact on the economy and society.