Zimbabwe starts production of lithiumsulfat in 2026
Zimbabwe builds Africa's first lithium sulfate plant - ChemNet (February 09, 2026 Source:ChemNet)
According to the Ministry of Commerce, Lithium Zimbabwe is constructing Africa's first lithium sulfate processing plant at its Arcadia mine in Zimbabwe. This landmark investment will shift Zimbabwe away from exporting raw ore toward producing higher-value battery intermediates for the global electric vehicle market.
Prospect Lithium is investing approximately $400 million to build a dedicated lithium sulfate plant near the mine, with operations expected to commence in 2026. Instead of exporting raw ore, the plant will convert locally mined ore into lithium sulfate—a key intermediate used in manufacturing battery-grade lithium chemicals for electric vehicles, grid energy storage, and consumer electronics.
Other sources:
Zimbabwe to host Africa’s first lithium sulphate plant, changing how it profits from minerals | Business Insider Africa (February 01, 2026)
https://hararepost.com/2025/10/17/zimbabwe-set-to-produce-lithium-sulphate-by-early-2026/ (February 12, 2026, HararePost)
(February 2011, 2026; ZAWYA citing The Zimbabwean)
Zimbabwe set to produce lithium sulphate by early 2026 - HararePost (October 17, 2025)
Zimbabwe Declares Manhize Steel Plant a Special Economic Zone
Zimbabwe Declares Manhize Steel Plant a Special Economic Zone to Boost Industrialisation and Exports ()
The Zimbabwean government has officially designated the Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) facility in Manhize, Chirumhanzu District, as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This move empowers the Chinese-owned DISCO, a subsidiary of Tsingshan Holding Group, to operate and license investors across the steel value chain.
Greening China’s ‘brown steel’ investments in Zimbabwe
Greening China’s ‘brown steel’ investments in Zimbabwe - Africa at LSE (London School of Economics, June 9th, 2025)
Zimbabwe is set to become Africa’s largest steel producer, thanks to a investment from China. The country must now choose between environmentally unfriendly ‘brown’ steel or seize the opportunity to lead the continent in ‘green’ steel production, writes Kudakwashe Manjonjo.
Manufacturing, technology, and mining rising sharply
Smal and beautifull is fading
China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Boomed in 2025 (The Maritime Executive, Feb 8, 2026)
China’s BRI manufacturing turn. The Belt and Road Initiative is moving beyond pure infrastructure into manufacturing, processing, and industrial capacity in partner countries. Steel, minerals processing, and related value chains are central to this shift.