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China’s battery makers are feeling the brunt of Zimbabwe’s lithium export ban
0 March 4, 2026 1:47 pm（https://namibiabusinessreview.com/chinas-battery-makers-are-feeling-the-brunt-of-zimbabwes-lithium-export-ban/）
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Solomon Ekanem
On February 25, the Government of Zimbabwe announced an immediate halt to all lithium concentrate shipments including cargo already in transit.
The decision forms part of Harare’s broader strategy to deepen domestic mineral processing and capture more value from its vast lithium reserves.
By restricting raw concentrate exports, authorities are effectively compelling investors to accelerate in-country refining and beneficiation.
According to The Africa Report , the abrupt ban, which is designed to force greater in‑country processing and value addition, has highlighted how dependent Chinese refiners and battery makers are on Zimbabwean spodumene feedstock, even as Beijing holds the largest share of the lithium conversion market globally.
Zimbabwe has rapidly emerged as a critical supplier to China’s lithium ecosystem.
Recent market data shows that roughly 19% of China’s imported lithium concentrate came from Zimbabwe in the latest reported year, positioning the Southern African nation as one of Beijing’s most significant upstream partners prior to the suspension.
More detailed customs data indicates that in certain months, Zimbabwe accounted for between 10% and 15% of China’s lithium concentrate imports, depending on trade flows and reporting cycles.
In short, Zimbabwe’s share of Chinese lithium imports has hovered in the high teens – a substantial exposure for an industry that relies heavily on consistent feedstock supply.