What Zimbabwe's export ban means for the global lithium supply chain
Zimbabwe plans to ban the export of raw lithium concentrate from January 2027, a decision that could reshape the global supply of a key mineral used in electric vehicle batteries.
The country is one of the world’s top suppliers of spodumene, a lithium-rich ore mostly shipped to China for processing.
But under the new policy, companies will only be allowed to export refined lithium products, not unprocessed material.
The aim is to keep more of the lithium value chain within Zimbabwe, create jobs, and attract investment in local refining.
The government hopes to follow Indonesia’s example, where a similar ban on nickel exports led to a boom in domestic processing and battery production.
Several Chinese firms, including Sinomine and Huayou Cobalt, have already started building plants in Zimbabwe to make lithium sulphate, a processed material used in battery manufacturing.
Others, such as Canmax, Chengxin and Yahua, may have to do the same if they want to keep buying from Zimbabwe.
The move matters beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. In the first quarter of this year alone, the country exported more than 200,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate to China.
This is enough to produce nearly 26,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, a standard unit in the battery industry.
If the export ban takes effect without enough local processing capacity in place, it could create supply delays and force global buyers to look elsewhere but if Zimbabwe succeeds, it could become a more powerful player in the global lithium market.
The shift highlights how countries rich in natural resources are demanding more than just royalties. They want a bigger share of the benefits from the global green energy transition.
As demand for electric vehicles and battery storage rises, Zimbabwe’s move is a clear signal that supply chains will depend as much on national policies as on geology.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
