Zimbabwe targets US$3.2bn in lithium sulphate exports
LIVINGSTONE MARUFU
Zimbabwe is targeting US$3.2bn in lithium sulphate export earnings by 2030, driven by massive capital investments and an aggressive beneficiation programme aimed at moving the country up the mineral value chain, Business Times can report.
The ambitious projections come as lithium producers have already invested approximately US$2bn in processing and beneficiation infrastructure, with additional projects in the pipeline expected to further enhance the sector’s export potential.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Chamber of Mines annual conference in Victoria Falls, Lithium Association of Zimbabwe chairman and Mutapa Energy Resources chief executive officer, Innocent Rukweza, said the investments are positioning the country to transition from exporting raw concentrates to higher-value lithium products.
“We have so far invested US$2bn across all lithium producers, with another US$1.45bn expected to be channelled into pipeline projects. These investments will enable the industry to start producing and exporting lithium sulphate from concentrates. Lithium sulphate carries significantly higher value and has the potential to generate substantial export earnings for the country,” Rukweza said.
He said the beneficiation drive aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader strategy of maximising value from its mineral resources and increasing foreign currency inflows.
Currently, lithium ranks as Zimbabwe’s third-largest export earner, behind gold and platinum.
However, rising global demand for electric vehicles and energy storage technologies is expected to propel lithium ahead of several traditional minerals in terms of export contribution over the coming years.
Zimbabwe exported 1.128m metric tonnes of lithium-bearing spodumene concentrate in 2025, representing an 11% increase from 2024 volumes.
Despite the growth in output, export receipts remained largely unchanged at around US$513.8m due to subdued international lithium prices.
Industry players remain optimistic that increased beneficiation and the production of lithium sulphate will significantly boost the value of exports and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as one of Africa’s leading lithium producers.
