Zimbabwe is set to become the first African country to produce lithium batteries for electric vehicles, thanks to a breakthrough by the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT). The university has successfully developed a lithium phosphate battery cell to power passenger cars with zero emissions.
Lithium is a key ingredient in producing clean energy technologies, especially for electric vehicles that are expected to dominate the global market soon. Zimbabwe has some of the world''s largest hard-rock lithium reserves, giving it a strategic advantage in the battery industry.
According to HIT Vice Chancellor Dr Quinton Kanhukamwe, the university has been working on lithium battery production since 2020, when it started to purify lithium carbonate from local sources. The next step was to further beneficiate the battery-grade lithium carbonate to produce lithium phosphate, which has improved chemical characteristics for battery production.
"As a result, your university has been successful in developing a lithium phosphate 3.2V, 60Ah battery cell; when coupled in either parallel for more voltage or series for enhanced current, the cells will produce sufficient power to drive passenger vehicles," he said at the university''s 14th graduation ceremony yesterday.
Dr. Kanhukamwe said the university was producing 639 engineering and technology graduates equipped with the skills and mindset to set up hi-tech enterprises and contribute to Zimbabwe’s rapid industrialization and modernization.
He also highlighted other innovations by the university, such as oil and dry power distribution transformers, cotton seed development and improvement, and three spin-off companies that offer biotechnology, radiography, and machine design solutions.
He said HIT collaborated with several foreign universities from China, Russia, America, Indonesia, and Belarus to improve the quality of research and innovation outputs. He also mentioned a training partnership with Rwanda''s Ministry of Health in radiography and ultrasound degree programs.
The lithium battery breakthrough by HIT has attracted attention from other African countries that are also rich in lithium resources, such as Namibia and Mali. According to The Africa Report, Africa must assume its place in the global battery race and develop its manufacturing capacity to avoid being left behind by China and other major players.
The report also noted that Africa could benefit from the growing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy by creating jobs, reducing emissions, and increasing energy security. However, it also warned that Africa must address the challenges of infrastructure, governance, and environmental protection to ensure the sustainable development of its lithium resources.
Zimbabwe''s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who capped 639 students at HIT yesterday, praised the university for its achievements and urged it to continue its innovative projects. He said his government was committed to supporting education and research as key economic growth and social transformation drivers.
He congratulated Shabour Banda, who graduated with a Bachelor''s Degree in Technology, Information Security, and Assurance and won the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Chancellor''s Award for outstanding academic performance.
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Amid the escalating global endeavors to confront the climate crisis, Zimbabwe, a landlocked Southern African nation, is strategically positioning itself as a pivotal player in the global energy transition, fueled by an unprecedented surge in demand for renewable energy technology.
With a rich history of lithium mining spanning six decades, Zimbabwe is swiftly emerging as a contender in the burgeoning race to meet the soaring demand for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The government estimates that the Bikita Minerals, situated 300 kilometers south of the capital Harare, harbors approximately 65.43 million metric tonnes of lithium resources, underscoring the nation''s significance in the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainable energy.
As multinational corporations engage in fierce competition to secure crucial assets in battery metals, Zimbabwe has become a prime destination. Its status as a mining hub in the African mining industry, coupled with its robust lithium reserves — often referred to as "white gold" due to sustained EV demand — positions Zimbabwe as a key player in the quest for battery metals. Notably, the lithium-ion battery (LiB), a crucial component of EVs, can constitute between a third to half of the EV''s total cost.
With the surging production of EVs and essential electronics crucial for achieving a zero-carbon emission energy transition, Zimbabwe is rapidly ascending global ranks. The heightened demand for EVs, driving the global thirst for lithium, could designate the country as the EV Battery Hub of the Future. Boasting Africa''s largest lithium reserves and ranking sixth globally, Zimbabwe strategically places itself among leading lithium-producing countries like Chile, Australia, China, Argentina, and Brazil, underscoring its pivotal role in meeting the escalating demands of a progressively electrified and sustainable global economy.
In the first nine months of 2023, Business Insider reports Zimbabwe generated $209 million in income from lithium exports. Forecasts predict that lithium mining will contribute approximately $500 million to government revenue in 2023, making lithium Zimbabwe''s third-largest mineral export after gold and platinum group metals, which earned $2.46 billion and $2.27 billion, respectively, in 2022 — this reinforces Zimbabwe''s growing influence in the global mining industry and solidifies its strategic standing as an EV battery hub.
As a power play unfolds within the country, companies from China, Australia, and the United States are aggressively pursuing vital assets in battery metals, with lithium taking center stage. This strategic move is poised to amplify lithium production across the nation, aligning seamlessly with the prevailing trend. S&P Global Commodity Insights anticipates new investments will boost lithium raw material production on the continent by more than 24-fold between 2022 and 2027. Globally, analysts at McKinsey project a remarkable growth of over 30 percent annually in the entire lithium-ion battery chain, from mining to recycling, surpassing $400 billion by 2030.
While Australian and U.S. companies race to secure mining assets in Zimbabwe and other African nations with abundant mineral deposits, Chinese companies lead the pack. In the third quarter of 2023 alone, licenses awarded to Chinese firms could funnel a staggering $2.79 billion into Zimbabwe, primarily in mining and energy. This substantial investment — a tenfold increase from the previous year — dwarfs that of its closest rival, the United Arab Emirates, showcasing China''s unmatched commitment to the region.
"In the dynamic landscape of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, Zimbabwe has captured considerable interest from prominent Chinese investors, who have outpaced their American and Australian counterparts in lithium ventures," said ZhenHua Wang, the general manager of Bikita Minerals, which is engaged in lithium mining and processes 300,000 metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate and 480,000 tonnes of petalite per year, in a conversation with Business Insider.
"Africa''s significance in China''s strategic initiatives is undeniable, with the nation exerting substantial influence in terms of both quantity and capital commitment, particularly evident in Zimbabwe''s pivotal mining sector. This strategic alignment establishes China as a frontrunner, surpassing global competitors and solidifying its dominant position in shaping the future trajectory of EV battery technology. This trend underscores China''s proactive role in securing a leading position in the rapidly evolving EV market, emphasizing the nation''s foresight and assertive approach in navigating the complexities of the global energy transition."
Chinese investors have spent over $1 billion to acquire mining sites in Zimbabwe over the past two years, with several Chinese-owned companies completing construction or upgrades of lithium processing plants. Notably, African billionaires are also making significant forays into the lithium mining sector. Among them is Benedict Peters – an influential figure in the global energy sector, the owner of Aiteo Group, Nigeria''s largest indigenous oil producer, and arguably the largest private Black miner on the continent. Peters has strategically entered the scene through his vertically integrated mining company, Bravura Holdings Ltd., making discreet moves in Zimbabwe.
Bravura Holdings strategically pivots its operations following a significant acquisition in Selous. With an unwavering commitment to staying ahead in this ever-evolving industry, the company is now setting its sights on a substantial lithium deposit in Kamativi — reflecting the dynamic and adaptive landscape of the sector. Bravura is also presently developing platinum, steel, copper, and gold assets in other countries across Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Mozambique, Cote d''Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, and South Africa.
Amid Zimbabwe''s economic challenges, exacerbated by hyperinflation, forex shortages, and rampant unemployment, the influx of billions in investments is seen as a crucial step in the government''s efforts, led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to revitalize the nation. The mining industry, highlighted as a key component, aims to position Zimbabwe as the world''s largest exporter of lithium, contributing to 20 percent of global demand once fully tapped.
Zimbabwe has weathered over two decades of challenging economic conditions marked by hyperinflation, forex shortages, and widespread unemployment. Against this backdrop, the government under President Mnangagwa is eyeing a strategic shift within the mining sector as a linchpin for national revitalization, ultimately aiming to establish domestic EV battery plants.
With aspirations to elevate the nation to an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, President Mnangagwa has identified the mining industry as a pivotal driver of this vision. The Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development envisions Zimbabwe becoming the world''s leading exporter of lithium, aiming to supply 20 percent of the global demand once the nation''s lithium resources are fully tapped.
Marshall Comins, the publisher of Billionaires.Africa and a public strategy consultant who provides strategic advisory services to African business and political leaders to manage high-stakes issues and special situations, said: "President Mnangagwa''s decisive moves within the mining sector exemplify a commitment to steering Zimbabwe toward a robust economic future."
Comins also applauds the government''s focus on establishing domestic EV battery plants as a masterstroke in the pursuit of national revitalization. In addition to this he issues a poignant call to action: "Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, with huge mining assets, need to start taking notice and working harder to enter Zimbabwe." This underscores the global significance of Zimbabwe''s burgeoning mining sector and challenges traditionally dominant players to reassess their strategies.
With a keen eye on the geopolitical landscape, Comins positions Zimbabwe as a prime arena for strategic partnerships, ushering in an era where a multitude of global players actively engage in and contribute to the nation''s economic revitalization. He argues that this proactive involvement is imperative to offset the escalating Chinese influence in the sector, asserting, "It''s a means to counterbalance the growing Chinese influence over the sector there."
Comins issues a compelling call to nations, urging them to strategically position themselves in Zimbabwe. This approach is not merely an economic opportunity but a strategic necessity, aimed at mitigating the risk of undue concentration of influence and fostering a more equitable and competitive global mining industry. He envisions a recalibration of the industry''s power dynamics, ensuring that diverse nations play an integral role in shaping Zimbabwe''s mining landscape.
Highlighting a prevailing trend, he also notes that local lithium claim holders are divesting their stakes due to capacity constraints, citing challenges in resource exploration and production. To overcome this obstacle, he advocates for imperative governmental intervention, asserting that a dedicated fund is essential to empower local lithium holders for exploration and production endeavors.
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