Zimbabwe is rapidly upgrading its lithium industry, shifting from raw mineral exports to advanced processing, with a new lithium sulphate plant set to start operations in early 2026, representing a $400 million investment by Huayou.

This plant, with a capacity of over 60,000 tonnes annually, exemplifies Zimbabwe's strategic move to become a regional hub for battery materials, processing lithium from neighboring countries and boosting its industrial profile.

The transformation aims to reconfigure the global lithium supply chain, encouraging battery manufacturers to renegotiate sourcing strategies and potentially reducing reliance on Chinese concentrate suppliers.

By advancing value-added processing, Zimbabwe expects to significantly increase foreign currency earnings, create higher-paying skilled jobs, and support broader economic diversification, potentially tripling export values.

The government’s policies, including an export ban on lithium concentrates starting in 2027, are designed to promote domestic processing, attract foreign investment, and enhance economic benefits.

Since 2022, Zimbabwe has implemented a ban on unprocessed lithium ore exports, with plans to extend this restriction in 2027, incentivizing local processing facilities and fostering economic growth.

Advanced chemical processing technology in these facilities ensures high-quality, environmentally managed production, with operational flexibility to meet market demands and optimize costs.

The complex involves sophisticated chemical operations requiring advanced expertise, emphasizing the importance of technology transfer to meet battery-grade purity standards.

Despite infrastructure and market challenges, strategic investments aim to position Zimbabwe as a resilient and competitive player in the global lithium supply chain, reducing dependence on Chinese processing dominance.

These developments are expected to enhance Zimbabwe's industrial skills and infrastructure, positioning the country for greater participation in the electric vehicle supply chain, including potential future involvement in battery cell manufacturing.

The new processing facilities incorporate advanced chemical technology to ensure high-quality production, operational flexibility, and environmental management, supporting Zimbabwe’s industrial upgrade.

Overall, Zimbabwe’s push into lithium processing is set to establish the region as a comprehensive battery materials hub, with strategic investments and policies positioning it for future growth in electric vehicle supply networks.