Online Reporter
Lincoln Towindo in Wenzhou, China
ZIMBABWE must leverage Chinese technology and industrial expertise to develop local value chains that can transform its vast 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 experience to transform those resources into high-value products.
“The agenda, which is being sought by Zimbabwe, will work hand in glove with China as a country, with the Chinese Government, and with the companies here in China,” he said.
“We have the resources; China has the experience, the knowledge and together we combine it to work together.
“And what we have seen here around; we have got the raw materials – the electric vehicle value chain minerals.
“We have the AI minerals, which include the rare earths; we have seen here the nickel, the lithium, which are the main components being used.”
VP Chiwenga said Zimbabwe should take advantage of China’s technological advances rather than attempting to develop the entire industrial value chain independently.
“But when you go now to the chips and everything, you require the rare earth minerals. China has developed a lot in this area,” he said.
“And there’s no point in reinventing the wheel, but we work together for a win-win situation for the good of 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 serve applications ranging from passenger and commercial vehicles to residential, commercial and industrial energy storage and 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 wider 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)’s integrated steel plant at Manhize in the Midlands.
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 products.
The plant’s first-phase production capacity is about 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 to the country’s beneficiation and value-addition agenda.
“We are very happy about the investment that we have made for the past 15 years,” he said.
“We totally agree with the Vice President that the relationship between the two countries is growing and very solid.
“We believe that the investment from Tsingshan will further accelerate that relationship and also enhance the beneficiation and the value addition agenda.
“I think going forward, we are very confident as the 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 cooperation.
Meanwhile, Dr Chiwenga held further engagements with Wenzhou City Mayor Mr Zhang Wenjie, where he outlined Zimbabwe’s drive to deepen economic cooperation 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 the domestic and regional markets.
“We have stated, Mr Mayor, that we are endowed with an abundance of natural resources. We need to bring those resources together, but we need to industrialise and manufacture in Zimbabwe so that it is greatly beneficial for both our people,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga is on an official visit to China, leading an investment promotion mission 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 Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister
Kuda Mnangagwa; and Energy Permanent Secretary, Engineer Gloria Magombo and other senior Government officials.
