Lithium exports from Zimbabwe reached 782 million dollars
In the first half of 2026, lithium exports from Zimbabwe more than tripled compared to the same period last year and reached 782 million US dollars (237 million dollars in the first half of 2025).
Lithium accounted for about 12% of Zimbabwe's revenue from mineral exports in the first six months of 2026 and came in third place in the structure of Zimbabwe's mineral exports, behind gold and platinum group metals.
Despite the sharp increase in revenue from lithium sales, the physical volume of the mineral increased by about 7%, indicating that the increase in revenue was due to higher prices and an increased product range, rather than an increase in production volumes.
Thus, the commissioning of Zimbabwe's first lithium sulfate processing plant in April 2026 allowed Zimbabwe to earn more than $70 million from the sale of new products, which was not the case in 2025, indicating the beginning of a move up the value chain.
The government's mid-term budget review for 2026 predicts that the total volume of lithium production this year will be 2.14 million tons, which is slightly lower than 2.2 million tons in 2025, but it is planned to sell this volume of products at a much higher price.
FURTHER AFRICA
