Zimbabwe is preparing to regulate the resumption of lithium exports, introducing quotas and local refining requirements in an effort to capture more value from the strategic mineral, the country’s government said.
The Southern African nation, Africa’s top lithium producer, suspended lithium concentrate exports more than a month ago. Authorities now plan to allow trade under strict conditions, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing a government letter sent earlier this month to the Chamber of Mines.
Under the proposed rules, miners will be required to publish annual financial statements for their operations and comply with labour, safety and environmental standards. Each operator will also receive a government-approved export quota for lithium concentrate.
The new measures are part of a broader policy to transition Zimbabwe from a raw material exporter to a supplier of higher-value products such as lithium sulphate, used in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems.
“In the lead-up to a planned ban on concentrate exports in January 2027, operators must formalise written commitments, including detailed timelines for building local processing plants,” the letter said. “Until the ban takes effect, a 10 percent export tax will remain in place once the current embargo is lifted.”
Zimbabwe’s authorities said the policy aims to strengthen control over a strategic resource, secure higher returns, and ensure that the country benefits more directly from its mineral wealth. The government has emphasised that compliance with labour, safety and environmental standards will remain a condition for continued operation.
Analysts note that Zimbabwe is not alone in adopting such policies. In 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo introduced quotas and processing requirements for cobalt, a mineral crucial for batteries, after first imposing a temporary export ban. Guinea, the world’s top bauxite exporter, has also sought to restrict exports to support prices amid global oversupply.
Zimbabwe’s approach reflects a growing regional trend to balance foreign investment with domestic value addition. The government said it wants to avoid the pitfalls of exporting raw materials at low prices while importing finished products that could be produced domestically.
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Several international companies have already taken steps toward local processing. China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt is preparing to commission a lithium sulphate plant at the Arcadia mine. Sinomine Resource and Sichuan Yahua Industrial have also announced construction of their own facilities.
Lithium is one of Zimbabwe’s main mineral exports, alongside platinum group metals, gold and diamonds. The sector generated $571 million in export earnings in 2025, according to government data. Mining accounts for around 80 percent of the country’s exports and nearly 19 percent of government revenue, underscoring the importance of the industry to the national economy.
Global lithium markets have been oversupplied since 2023, largely driven by China, pushing prices down and affecting revenues for producing countries. Zimbabwe’s government said tighter export controls and local refining requirements are intended to secure higher returns and strengthen the country’s bargaining position internationally.
The announcement comes amid growing global demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions, where lithium is a critical component. Zimbabwe’s policy aims to ensure that the country benefits not just from extraction but also from processing, potentially creating jobs and supporting domestic industrial development.
Producers and market observers are watching closely to see how the proposed quotas will affect operations. While local refining plans are already underway, the acceptance of export quotas may vary among operators, who face uncertainties in a market with fluctuating global prices.
The government has signaled that full implementation of the policy will be phased, giving companies time to adapt while maintaining a framework that prioritises local economic benefits.
