Africa-Press. Zimbabwe is preparing to inaugurate Africa’s first lithium sulfate production plant, a move seen as a strategic shift in how the country leverages its mineral wealth and strengthens its position in global clean-energy supply chains.
The new facility, developed by Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe and financed by China’s Huayou Cobalt, has reached the equipment commissioning phase at the Bikita Mine. Investments in the project total around $500 million, making it one of the country’s most significant industrial developments in recent years.
According to company CEO Henry Zhou, the plant is scheduled to begin production in the first quarter of the current year, with an annual capacity exceeding 60,000 tons of lithium sulfate. Lithium is often referred to as “white gold,” as it is a core component in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.
The establishment of the plant also represents a shift from exporting raw materials to producing higher value-added products, giving Zimbabwe a greater opportunity to benefit from its mineral resources. This investment strengthens the country’s role as a key participant in the global transition to clean energy and opens the door to further industrialization in an economy heavily reliant on natural resources.
African leadership and Chinese presence
Zimbabwe is already Africa’s largest lithium producer, having led continental production in 2024. Output is expected to reach 160,000 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent by 2030. Despite a global decline in lithium prices of around 90% since 2022, the country has continued to increase exports, selling more than 586,000 tons of spodumene concentrate in the first half of 2025—an increase of 30% year on year.
Since 2021, Chinese companies have invested approximately $1.4 billion in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector, including Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine, Tsingshan, Yahua and Chengxin. This growing presence reflects Zimbabwe’s strategic importance in meeting rising global demand for critical minerals.
