Zimbabwe sets lithium export ban

Zimbabwe will implement a ban on the export of lithium concentrates starting January 2027, a strategic move aimed at compelling mining companies to process and refine the critical mineral locally. The government’s decision, confirmed following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, underscores its ambition to extract greater economic value from its abundant resources.

As Africa’s leading nation in lithium reserves and a significant exporter primarily to China, Zimbabwe plays a pivotal role in the global scramble for “transition minerals” essential for electric vehicles and batteries. This upcoming ban builds on a previous policy, which saw the export of raw lithium ore prohibited in 2022. The new measure seeks to further encourage domestic processing and refining, allowing for the export of higher-value products.

“With effect from January 2027, the export of lithium concentrate will no longer be allowed,” the government stated in its official announcement. It also noted that two prominent companies, Bikita Minerals and Arcadia Lithium, are already “in the process of establishing refining facilities” for local lithium production.

However, the decision has drawn criticism from civil society. The Harare-based Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), a research and advocacy group, described the government’s efforts to boost lithium revenue as “too little, too late.” In a statement issued on Wednesday, the CNRG warned that “2027 is too distant, given the pace of extraction and the price volatility of lithium on the global market.”

The organization further cautioned that by the time the ban takes effect, “millions of tons will be exported, enriching foreign capital while eroding our chances for sustainable economic development.” The CNRG reiterated its call for Zimbabwe to “assert control over its critical minerals,” arguing that “unchecked lithium exploitation… has devastating socio-economic and environmental implications.”

Zimbabwe is grappling with significant challenges, including the severe impacts of climate change. In 2024, an El Niño-induced drought triggered a state of national disaster, severely affecting the country’s agricultural sector. An estimated 7.2 million people are currently believed to be food insecure in Zimbabwe, according to the United Nations.