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Nqobile Bhebhe , Zimpapers Business Hub
ZIMBABWE’S rapidly expanding lithium sector will take centre stage at the African Mining Week (AMW) 2025 in South Africa, where the country will showcase its investment opportunities and outline strategies to enhance beneficiation, while reinforcing its role in global supply chains.
African Mining Week, scheduled for 1–3 October 2025 and held alongside African Energy Week, is Africa’s premier platform for mining stakeholders, bringing together governments, investors, and global industry leaders.
The Government has identified lithium as a key driver in achieving national development goals, including Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
With global demand for critical minerals on the rise, lithium offers immense potential to boost exports, stimulate economic activity, and improve livelihoods.
According to a statement from the event organisers, Zimbabwe’s delegation will be led by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando, alongside senior representatives from the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe.
“The country’s production and export capacity are expanding rapidly. In the first half of 2025, Zimbabwe increased lithium exports by 30 percent, shipping 586 197 metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate compared to 451 824 metric tonnes during the same period in 2024 — underscoring its emergence as a key supplier to global electric vehicle (EV) and battery markets.
This trajectory strengthens Zimbabwe’s position in global supply chains and highlights the strategic importance of downstream investment and value addition within Africa,” reads part of the statement.
Zimbabwe is also advancing beneficiation efforts to capture greater value from its resources.
In July 2025, State-owned Verify Engineering successfully piloted a domestically manufactured lithium-ion battery — a milestone in the country’s push towards industrialisation and value addition.
Verify Engineering (Pvt) Ltd achieved a zero-failure rate on its lithium-ion batteries following a year-long testing phase.
These batteries, which have a 10-year lifespan, are suitable for use in various small electronic devices.
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in mobile phones and other small gadgets, have undergone rigorous testing and are rated for a decade of reliable performance.
With vast lithium reserves, Zimbabwe aims to become a major player in the green technology sector.
The organisers of AMW noted that the industry is attracting both established firms and new entrants.
For instance, in January 2025, Premier African Minerals — operator of the Zulu Lithium Project in Fort Rixon — secured £4,7 million to advance its operations.
Since 2021, major Chinese companies including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine, Chengxin Lithium Group, Yahua Group, and Tsingshan have collectively invested over US$1.4 billion into Zimbabwe’s lithium value chain.
“Additional exploration is being undertaken by companies from the UK, Canada, China, Australia, and Ireland, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s status as a global lithium hotspot.
This influx of capital not only diversifies Zimbabwe’s investor base but also reflects growing competition among global markets to secure reliable access to the country’s strategic minerals. As AMW 2025 highlights the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa, Zimbabwe’s lithium sector will stand out as one of the continent’s fastest-growing and most strategic investment frontiers,” the organisers said.
Lithium, traded internationally in the form of pure salts due to its highly reactive nature, is increasingly in demand for use in electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy storage, and other advanced technologies.
With its rich resource base, accelerating export growth, and new investments in beneficiation, Zimbabwe is positioning itself not merely as a supplier of raw materials, but as a global hub for the lithium economy.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter