Zimbabwe has announced it will ban the export of lithium concentrate by 2027, signaling a decisive step toward transforming the country into a continental hub for battery mineral processing and electric vehicle (EV) supply chains.

The southern African nation, which holds some of the richest lithium reserves on the continent, is intensifying efforts to shift from raw mineral exports to value-added production. The government’s directive will force mining companies to refine lithium locally, producing higher-value outputs such as lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide before shipment.

This landmark policy aims to boost industrialisation, create employment, and attract investment into Zimbabwe’s manufacturing and processing sectors. Authorities see the ban as essential to reversing decades of lost revenue due to raw material exports and positioning the country as a serious player in the global energy transition.

Since 2022, Zimbabwe has been tightening its regulatory grip on lithium exports, requiring companies to initiate value addition within its borders. The 2027 ban marks the culmination of this shift, mandating not just beneficiation but full-scale domestic processing.

Industry experts view the move as a potential game-changer for Zimbabwe’s economy. Local refining could significantly increase export earnings, deepen linkages with other sectors, and reduce the country’s dependence on external markets for industrial growth.

The government is expected to roll out incentives, including tax breaks and infrastructure support, to attract both local and foreign investors to build processing facilities. Yet, analysts warn that achieving these ambitions will demand massive capital injections, a reliable energy supply, and a skilled workforce.

Challenges notwithstanding, Zimbabwe’s bold lithium strategy reflects a growing trend among resource-rich African nations seeking to assert greater control over their mineral wealth and integrate into global value chains.