HIT’s Lithium Leap: Zimbabwe Eyes Battery Manufacturing Hub

Harare Institute of Technology (image source)

Zimbabwe is moving from raw mineral exporter to potential green energy hub, with the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) spearheading plans for a lithium battery processing plant. With the country home to the sixth-largest lithium reserves globally, this initiative is seen as a strategic step toward positioning Zimbabwe in the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.

HIT has already developed prototype lithium-ion cells using locally sourced lithium phosphate, which have undergone initial testing. The institution is now scaling up research in collaboration with international partners from China and Europe. The plant will manufacture lithium carbonate, cathodes, electrodes, and full battery packs, reducing Zimbabwe’s reliance on imported technology.

President Mnangagwa has banned the export of raw lithium, insisting that all producers establish local beneficiation plants. This policy has already attracted major Chinese investments, including a US$500 million project by Sinomine Resource Group and a US$270 million lithium processing facility at Sandawana under Kuvimba Mining House. By establishing domestic battery production, Zimbabwe hopes to capture more value from its mineral wealth while creating high-tech jobs.

The Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) has consistently urged Zimbabwe to leverage its mineral endowment into industrial growth. In its latest report, SARW noted: “There’s a pressing need to develop production capacity for lithium-ion batteries. This sector’s development is closely linked to global geopolitical dynamics.” Demand for EV batteries is projected to grow fivefold by 2035, with Africa increasingly central to supply chains for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and graphite.

HIT is positioning itself not just as a research hub but also as a training ground. Plans are underway to expand engineering curricula to include battery chemistry, materials science, and automation technologies, ensuring Zimbabwean students acquire the skills needed for a fast-evolving sector. Graduates will also benefit from internships with Chinese, South African, and European firms already involved in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

Despite optimism, challenges remain. Energy shortages, inconsistent policy enforcement, and financing gaps could slow progress. Critics warn that without strong environmental safeguards, large-scale lithium processing could harm local ecosystems. Nevertheless, Zimbabwe’s pivot to battery manufacturing reflects a broader African ambition: to move up the value chain and avoid the “resource curse” of exporting raw minerals with little benefit to citizens.