Zim’s lithium gambit: Navigating China-US rivalry

📅 Published: August 20, 2025

📰 Source: theindependent

Curated by AllZimNews.com

On the other hand, as the mining and processing of lithium is concentrated within a handful of countries, these countries consider lithium a geopolitical leverage that can fuel their economies.

Located in southern Africa, Zimbabwe is the world’s fifth-largest miner and the top lithium producer in Africa.

With the potential to meet 20% of global demand, the country is placing a significant wager on the mineral to boost its economy.

In 2023, Zimbabwe produced 3 400 metric tonnes of lithium, a whopping 230% rise from 2022.

Dubbed “white gold,” lithium exports earned Zimbabwe a record US$209 million within the first nine months of 2023.

Lithium is Zimbabwe’s third-largest mineral export after gold and platinum group of metals, bringing in US$2,46 billion and US$2,27 billion, respectively, in 2023.

However, as Zimbabwe exports merely raw lithium, the amount is miniscule.

The Zimbabwean government is aware of the value of lithium to the country’s economy.

Not surprisingly, it intends to refine battery-grade lithium domestically to create value locally and establish the nation as a lithium refining hub.

Refining lithium domestically will not only boost economic growth but also create jobs for locals and pave way for infrastructural development.

Therefore, in 2022, under the Base Minerals Export Control Act, Zimbabwe prohibited the export of raw lithium.

Additionally, the restriction was intended to stop raw lithium smuggling across the nation’s porous borders with neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique.