Bongani Moyo
IN a recent interview with editors drawn from the State media, President Mnangagwa spoke of the “collective wisdom” of the Zimbabwean people and their capacity to face any challenge. While sceptics may focus on obstacles, a quiet but profound economic revolution is underway in Zimbabwe that holds immense promise not just for the nation, but for the entire African continent.
Zimbabwe is proving that the era of exporting raw minerals is over. The “volume without value” paradigm, as recently described by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, is being replaced by a clear policy of local processing. This is not mere rhetoric; it is tangible policy backed by decisive action.
Under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the Government has prioritised value addition for its mineral wealth, particularly lithium, platinum group metals (PGMs), and chromite. The landmark shipment of Africa’s first lithium sulphate from the Arcadia mine is a “historic milestone” that demonstrates the continent can participate in the global battery mineral value chain, not just as a source of raw material, but as an industrial player.
This success is underpinned by a firm stance, including a ban on raw lithium concentrate exports, compelling miners to invest in domestic processing. These policies have already stimulated nearly US$1 billion in new investment for processing infrastructure.
While the lithium story captures the imagination, it is the success in the chrome sector that offers the most potent lessons for Africa. Zimbabwe’s strategic decision to place a partial ban on raw chrome exports and implement supportive policies, such as concessionary electricity tariffs, has resulted in a monumental industrial shift.
According to the Africa Finance Corporation’s recent report, Zimbabwe’s ferrochrome production skyrocketed from a paltry 100 000 to 200 000 tonnes per year to over 1,7 million tonnes in 2024. This has made Zimbabwe the most successful example of mineral-based industrialisation in the region, proving that bold policy can reshape national industrial landscapes.
What makes this uniquely African is its foundation of “collective persuasion” and a rejection of one-size-fits-all solutions. President Mnangagwa’s assertion that Zimbabwe must “do the best for our country based on the resources and the skills that we have” is a powerful Pan-Africanist credo.
It champions a model of self-determination where solutions are homegrown and tailored to local realities. This success in mineral beneficiation is being mirrored in other sectors like agriculture, with a focus on agro-processing to reduce import bills and create jobs.
The ambition extends beyond national borders. As Zimbabwe prepares to assume the Chairmanship of Comesa, the largest regional economic bloc in Africa, it has a unique opportunity to champion this beneficiation agenda on a continental scale.
President Mnangagwa has already framed Zimbabwe’s leadership at the UN Security Council as representing a “collective view of our region”. Similarly, by leading on beneficiation, Zimbabwe can inspire and support other African nations to move beyond resource extraction. The country is becoming a nerve centre for trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, and its leadership can help weave an integrated continental industrial strategy.
Zimbabwe’s journey is a powerful rebuttal to the narrative of African dependency, showcasing a path where the continent’s wealth is used to build its industries, create dignified jobs for its youth, and secure its economic future.
As Zimbabwe prospers through this united, collective effort, it lights a path for the whole of Africa to follow.
Online Reporter