Inside Zimbabwe’s struggle to end lithium smuggling across its borders

The restriction was meant to curb illicit trade and boost domestic processing of the mineral, but illegal exports continue to thrive, often aided by corruption and weak enforcement.

In one incident in 2023, a truck carrying what was declared as chrome was intercepted at the border with Mozambique, only for inspectors to discover the shipment contained raw lithium. The truck and trailer, valued at over $50,000, were impounded for a year, and the transport company was fined $5,000 before recovering the vehicle, the East African reports.

Zimbabwe holds Africa’s largest lithium reserves and is among the world’s top producers of the mineral, which is critical for green energy technologies. However, border officials have admitted to accepting bribes to allow lithium shipments to pass unchecked. Tendai, a former border agent, confirmed his involvement in such schemes and acknowledged being arrested and fined for his role.

Despite efforts by mining companies such as Arcadia and Bikita Minerals to establish local processing operations, illegal exports persist. Gorden Moyo, director of the Public Policy and Research Institute of Zimbabwe, said the trade is sustained by officials and security personnel colluding with politicians and foreign entities, particularly from China, which dominates Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

While the country’s lithium production capacity reportedly grew by 230% between 2022 and 2023, the government has yet to demonstrate whether the export ban has translated into higher revenues. Most of the smuggled lithium is destined for China.