Online Reporter
Lincoln Towindo in WENZHOU, China
ZIMBABWE must leverage Chinese technology and industrial expertise to develop local value chains capable of transforming its vast reserves of strategic and rare-earth minerals into batteries, energy-storage systems and other high-value products, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.
He made the remarks here yesterday after touring the headquarters of REPT BATTERO and Fox ESS, two Chinese companies specialising in new-energy technologies and energy solutions.
VP Chiwenga said Zimbabwe had the mineral resources required for the rapidly expanding electric vehicle and renewable energy industries, while China possessed the technology and expertise needed to transform those resources into high-value products.
“The agenda being pursued by Zimbabwe will work hand in glove with China as a country, the Chinese Government and the companies here in China,” he said.
“We have the resources; China has the experience and the knowledge, and together we can combine our strengths and work together.
“What we have seen here is that we possess the raw materials required for the electric vehicle value chain.
“We have the minerals required for artificial intelligence technologies, including rare earths. We have also seen the importance of nickel and lithium, which are among the main components being utilised.”
VP Chiwenga said Zimbabwe should take advantage of China’s technological advances rather than attempting to develop the entire industrial value chain independently. “When you move into semiconductors and related technologies, you require rare-earth minerals. China has made significant advances in this area,” he said.
“There is, therefore, no need to reinvent the wheel. We should work together for a win-win outcome that benefits our people.”
The remarks followed the Vice President’s tour of REPT BATTERO and Fox ESS, two companies within the Tsingshan Group industrial ecosystem involved in the new-energy value chain.
REPT BATTERO develops and manufactures lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy-storage systems.
Its products are used in applications ranging from passenger and commercial vehicles to residential, commercial and industrial energy storage, as well as power grids.
Fox ESS, meanwhile, develops solar inverters, hybrid inverters, energy-storage systems and batteries, positioning it within the renewable energy and energy-storage segment of Tsingshan’s broader industrial chain.
VP Chiwenga is leading a high-level investment promotion mission to China, engaging Government officials and private-sector companies on opportunities in green energy, power development, mining and manufacturing.
Tsingshan Group has already made significant investments in Zimbabwe, including the Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) integrated steel plant at Manhize in the Midlands Province.
The group’s investments form part of an integrated industrial model linking mineral resources, processing and manufacturing.
At Manhize, DISCO began producing pig iron in 2024 and has since expanded into steel production.
The plant’s first-phase production capacity is approximately 600 000 tonnes of steel annually, with further expansion planned.
Speaking alongside VP Chiwenga after the tour, Tsingshan Holding Group chairman Mr Xiang Guangda said the company was satisfied with its investment in Zimbabwe and believed its presence could contribute significantly to the country’s beneficiation and value-addition agenda.
“We are very pleased with the investment we have made over the past 15 years,” he said.
“We fully agree with the Vice President that relations between our two countries are growing and remain very strong.
“We believe that Tsingshan’s investment will further strengthen that relationship while advancing Zimbabwe’s beneficiation and value-addition agenda.
“Going forward, we are very confident as Tsingshan Group.”
Mr Xiang is the founder and chairman of Tsingshan Holding Group, the Wenzhou-based industrial conglomerate with major interests in stainless steel, nickel and new-energy industries.
Later, VP Chiwenga held bilateral talks with Mr Xiang, focusing on possible areas for further co-operation.
Meanwhile, Dr Chiwenga also held discussions with Wenzhou City Mayor Mr Zhang Wenjie, during which he outlined Zimbabwe’s drive to deepen economic co-operation with China through investment, beneficiation, value addition and industrialisation.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President said Zimbabwe’s objective was to ensure that its mineral wealth became the foundation for manufacturing industries capable of supplying both domestic and regional markets.
“We have stated, Mr Mayor, that we are endowed with abundant natural resources. We need to harness those resources, industrialise and manufacture products in Zimbabwe so that they bring greater benefits to our people,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga is on an official visit to China, leading an investment promotion mission aimed at engaging the private sector on potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
He is accompanied by his wife, Dr Miniyothabo Chiwenga; Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo; Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Kudakwashe Mnangagwa; Energy and Power Development Permanent Secretary Engineer Gloria Magombo; and other senior Government officials.
