A forklift moving large white bags at a construction or industrial site in Africa.
In a milestone for the continent’s industrialization, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt has shipped Africa’s first-ever consignment of lithium sulphate from its Zimbabwe operations. The development marks a transition from exporting raw concentrates to high-value intermediate salts used in electric vehicle batteries. The export comes from a $400 million plant completed in October 2025 with an annual capacity of 50,000 metric tons. It arrives as Zimbabwe tightens its grip on raw mineral exports, having frozen lithium concentrate exports in February over alleged malpractices and planning a full ban by January 2027. With a 10% tax on unprocessed lithium, of which refined products like lithium sulphate are exempt, Harare is deliberately nudging miners toward local beneficiation—keeping more economic value firmly on African soil.
CNBC Africa