Zimbabwe is set to host Africa’s first lithium sulphate processing plant, marking a shift from exporting raw minerals to producing higher-value battery materials. The facility, backed by China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt through its local unit Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, is expected to begin operations in early 2026, Reuters said.
The plant, located near the Arcadia lithium mine outside Harare, will process spodumene concentrate into lithium sulphate, an intermediate product used in the manufacture of battery-grade chemicals such as lithium hydroxide and carbonate. Company executives cited by Reuters said the project represents an investment of about $400 million and is designed to significantly expand Zimbabwe’s downstream processing capacity.
Government officials say the development aligns with Zimbabwe’s policy push to retain more value from its mineral resources by encouraging local beneficiation rather than concentrating exports. Authorities have outlined plans to curb raw lithium exports in the coming years, positioning processing facilities as a cornerstone of industrial growth, based on policy statements referenced by business insider Africa.
Analysts say producing lithium sulphate locally could boost export earnings, create skilled jobs and attract further foreign investment as global demand for electric-vehicle battery materials rises. The project underscores Zimbabwe’s ambition to move up the global battery supply chain and reshape how it profits from its mineral wealth.
