The government of Zimbabwe has announced, through its Minister of Mines, Polite Kambamura, the immediate suspension of all exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates. The decision, made public on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, also applies to shipments already in transit.
This measure marks a turning point in the country’s mining policy. Harare now intends to accelerate the local transformation of lithium, strengthen domestic value addition, and limit losses related to the export of unprocessed raw materials.
Fiscal and regulatory authorities, including the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), have been instructed to strictly enforce this ban, without exception. Only holders of mining titles with approved enrichment units will be allowed to export processed products. Agents and intermediaries are excluded from the scheme.
For the government, this decision aims to consolidate national control over a strategic mineral, essential for clean energy technologies and defense industries. “We expect cooperation from the mining industry in the national interest,” said the Minister of Mines, emphasizing that consultations will soon be initiated to clarify the new regulatory requirements and the sectoral roadmap.
Initially, the ban on exporting lithium concentrates was set to take effect in January 2027. This deadline was set to encourage operators to invest in local processing and refining capacities. Anticipating the measure reflects the authorities’ desire to accelerate the industrial transformation of the sector.
As the top African producer of lithium, Zimbabwe exported 1.128 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate in 2025, representing an 11% increase compared to the previous year. The country now aims to establish itself as a player in the electric battery value chain, transitioning from a raw ore exporter model to a producer of higher value-added materials.
