Lithium is one of the main components used to make EV batteries.
Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) has encouraged Zimbabwe to construct an electric vehicle (EV) battery plant due to its abundant lithium resources. Lithium is a key component in EV batteries, and the demand for lithium is expected to soar as EVs become more popular globally. Zimbabwe has the largest lithium deposits in Africa and the sixth largest globally, making it an attractive location for battery manufacturing.
SARW highlights several initiatives in Zimbabwe aimed at integrating battery storage systems and EV projects, including renewable energy projects, a proposed lithium battery manufacturing plant, and local experiments with developing lithium-ion batteries. The watchdog emphasizes the need for Zimbabwe to develop its production capacity for lithium-ion batteries as part of its industrial growth vision.
However, SARW also warns that the development of this sector is closely linked to geopolitical dynamics, and Zimbabwe's strategic position in the global lithium market exposes it to international political and economic pressures. Foreign investments, particularly from China, can introduce external influences that shape local policies and priorities, potentially leading to dependency if not managed well.
Chinese investments in Zimbabwe's lithium mining sector now exceed $1.5 billion, and other countries such as the UK, Canada, and Australia have also invested in Zimbabwe's lithium resources. Several major lithium projects are currently under development in Zimbabwe, including the Bikita Mine, which was acquired by the Chinese company Sinomine Resource Group in 2022, and the Arcadia Lithium Project, which was acquired by China's Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt in 2022.
As global demand for EV batteries rises, Zimbabwe must balance attracting foreign investment with safeguarding national interests through robust local content policies.
