➤ Zimbabwe's lithium policy has taken a more interventionist turn — driven by the government's ambitions to benefit from opportunities in an emerging mineral sector. The lithium concentrate ban has now evolved into a condition-based quota framework, tightening an already supply-sensitive market and supporting lithium prices. The country has significant potential to become Africa's first lithium refining hub.

➤ Outcomes will depend heavily on how remaining policies are structured, sequenced, and enforced.

➤ The downstream pivot is set to entrench Zimbabwe-China ties.

➤ Zimbabwe's lithium policymaking remains unfinished and will unfold over a long horizon.

Patchy early policymaking in the quest for value-addition

Download a PDF version of this report for more details.