As the global demand for lithium-ion batteries accelerates in response to the clean energy transition, the strategic localization of battery material processing has emerged as a critical industrial and geopolitical priority. While mineral-rich countries in the Global South—such as those in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America—supply the bulk of raw inputs like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, most value-added processing and cell manufacturing remain concentrated in a few advanced economies. This imbalance reinforces structural dependency and limits the developmental benefits for resource-supplying nations. This paper examines the role of localized battery material processing hubs as a pathway to industrial upgrading, green job creation, and supply chain sovereignty across the Global South. Through an integrated framework combining policy diagnostics, energy system analysis, and trade value chain mapping, the study evaluates the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of regional processing centers. It investigates the policy instruments—such as local content mandates, green infrastructure incentives, and state-led consortia—required to make localized processing competitive while adhering to global sustainability benchmarks. Key case studies from emerging economies demonstrate how processing hubs can serve as anchors for green industrial clusters when paired with renewable energy integration, skills development, and export diversification strategies. However, the study also identifies major risks, including energy constraints, regulatory fragmentation, and the volatility of global commodity markets. By providing policy-relevant insights and a roadmap for implementation, this research contributes to ongoing debates on green industrialization, strategic autonomy, and equitable participation in the global energy transition.