Can Zimbabwe’s EV ambitions drive industrial transformation?

By Richard Ndebele

Zimbabwe’s growing interest in electric vehicle (EV) assembly may appear at first glance to be merely a transport-sector development.

Yet beneath the surface lies a far bigger national question: can the country use the global green transition to revive industrialisation, create jobs and move beyond dependence on raw mineral exports?

As the world increasingly shifts toward cleaner energy systems and electric mobility, countries endowed with critical battery minerals are becoming strategically important players in the global economy. Zimbabwe, which possesses some of the world’s largest lithium reserves, now finds itself uniquely positioned within this transition. The country’s emerging EV ambitions therefore represent more than technological modernisation — they may offer a pathway toward economic transformation.

Recent developments suggest that Zimbabwe is beginning to position itself within the future mobility value chain. The Central Mechanical Equipment Department (CMED) recently announced plans to establish a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) sales and assembly unit, while electric buses and other EV technologies were showcased during the 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF). At the same time, reports of proposed Chinese investment into local EV manufacturing have further intensified debate around Zimbabwe’s industrial future.

Globally, the EV revolution is accelerating at remarkable speed. Governments across Europe, Asia and North America are introducing stricter emissions regulations while automotive manufacturers continue shifting billions of dollars toward battery-powered transport systems. China has emerged as a dominant force in EV manufacturing and battery processing, while African countries rich in lithium, cobalt and other critical minerals are increasingly attracting international attention.

For Zimbabwe, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge.

For decades, the country has largely exported raw minerals with limited value addition. While mineral exports generate foreign currency, they often fail to produce broad industrial growth or sustainable employment. The lithium boom now offers Zimbabwe an opportunity to break that cycle by participating more actively in downstream industries linked to batteries, green technologies and electric mobility.

If properly implemented, EV assembly could stimulate broader economic activity across multiple sectors. Manufacturing plants require engineers, technicians, software specialists, metal fabricators, logistics operators and maintenance services. Local universities and technical institutions could also begin aligning training programmes toward emerging green technologies and battery systems.

Beyond industrialisation, electric mobility could also support Zimbabwe’s sustainability objectives. The country spends significant foreign currency importing fuel while simultaneously facing growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and align with global climate commitments. Increased EV adoption may eventually reduce fuel import dependence while supporting cleaner urban transport systems.

However, the road toward a viable EV industry will not be straightforward.

Zimbabwe continues to face major structural constraints that could undermine these ambitions if left unresolved. Electricity shortages remain perhaps the most obvious contradiction. A country cannot realistically pursue widespread electric mobility while struggling to provide reliable power to industries and households. Without substantial improvements in energy generation and grid stability, EV adoption risks remaining limited and symbolic.

Charging infrastructure also remains underdeveloped, while the cost of EVs places them beyond the reach of many ordinary consumers. Technical expertise in EV maintenance and battery systems is still limited, meaning the country must invest heavily in skills development if it hopes to sustain long-term industrial growth within this sector.

More importantly, policymakers must avoid repeating Africa’s long-standing extractive economic model where minerals are exported while higher-value manufacturing occurs elsewhere. The global green transition risks reproducing old inequalities if African countries remain suppliers of raw materials rather than builders of industrial ecosystems around their own resources.

That is why policy consistency, investment protection and infrastructure development will be critical. Investors require confidence that industrial policies will remain stable over the long term. Government must also create incentives for technology transfer, local manufacturing partnerships and research development if Zimbabwe hopes to establish itself as a credible regional player within the EV value chain.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could further strengthen these opportunities by expanding access to regional markets. Zimbabwe may not immediately compete with global automotive giants, but it could gradually position itself as a regional assembly and green manufacturing hub within Southern Africa.

Ultimately, Zimbabwe’s EV ambitions should not be viewed simply through the lens of transport innovation. The real significance lies in whether the country can use the global green economy to drive industrial revival, technological advancement and economic sovereignty.

The world is reorganising itself around clean energy, battery minerals and green technologies. Countries that position themselves strategically today will shape the industrial order of tomorrow.

For Zimbabwe, the real question is no longer whether electric vehicles are the future. The real question is whether the country can transform its lithium wealth into sustainable industrial development rather than remaining a supplier of raw materials to more industrialised economies.

The answer may define Zimbabwe’s economic trajectory for decades to come.

About the Author

Richard Ndebele is Manager: Technical, Research and Quality Assurance at the Chartered Governance and Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe (CGI Zimbabwe) and serves as Country Champion for the PAFA Sustainability Centre of Excellence. He writes on governance, sustainability and public financial management, with a focus on strengthening decision-making and institutional performance in African economies.

Contact: rndebele@cgizim.org