Among these countries, Zimbabwe stands out as a leader in production, positioning the continent as a key player in the global transition to clean energy.
Zimbabwe: A leader in lithium production
Zimbabwe has quickly emerged as one of the most significant lithium producers globally. In 2021, Zimbabwe produced 710 metric tons and reserves estimated at 310,000 globally. Lithium is a key ingredient in rechargeable batteries, driving the world’s shift to clean energy and electric vehicles.
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So far, several notable lithium mining projects are underway across the continent. The Arcadia Lithium Project in Zimbabwe holds one of the world’s largest hard rock lithium resources, positioning it as a significant player in the global lithium market. In 2023, the facility produced approximately 500,000 metric tons of lithium concentrate, strengthening Zimbabwe’s status in the lithium supply chain.
In addition to Zimbabwe, other African countries are seeing substantial developments in their lithium industries. The Manono-Kitolo Mining Project in the DRC, located near Lubumbashi, is one of the largest lithium reserves in the world. A joint venture between AVZ Minerals [holding 75%] and the state-owned La Congolaise d’Exploitation Miniere SA [25%], the project is expected to produce millions of tons of lithium over its lifespan. As of January 2025, the project remains in the development stage, with notable advancements in resource estimation and feasibility studies.
In Mali, the Goulamina Lithium Project stands out as one of the most promising lithium initiatives in West Africa. Situated near Bougouni, this project is a collaboration between Mali Lithium [now known as Firefinch Limited] and China’s Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. It features substantial lithium resources, boasting an estimated production capacity of 142.3 million tons of lithium oxide at a grade of 1.38%.
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In 2021, the project received approval for its definitive feasibility study, setting the stage for construction and future production. By 2022, the company achieved notable advancements, including the acquisition of essential permits and progress in financing arrangements.
The first phase aims to produce around 726,000 tons of spodumene concentrate each year. Production began in the mid-2020s, significantly addressing the rising demand for lithium in the battery and electric vehicle sectors.
Export destinations and market dynamics
The International Energy Agency [IEA] reported that a huge portion of Africa’s lithium is exported to China. Which is a leading importer, refiner, and consumer of lithium. China takes in approximately 70% of lithium compounds for its extensive domestic battery manufacturing industry.
Processing capacity and value-addition initiatives
The African Minerals Development Centre [AMDC] reported that in November 2023, Andrada Mining, a UK-listed company, began producing its first lithium concentrate at the pilot plant situated at its Uis lithium property in Namibia. The company projects a monthly output of up to 250 tons.
By July 2024, it was reported that the Chinese mining firm Xinfeng Investment [Pty] Limited completed the construction of a lithium processing plant in Namibia. Earlier, in July 2023, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, a subsidiary of the Chinese company Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, commenced operations at a $300 million lithium processing facility in Zimbabwe.
This plant is capable of processing 4.5 million metric tons of hard rock lithium into concentrate for export each year, making it the largest lithium processing facility in Zimbabwe. Additionally, reports indicate that two more lithium processing plants are being built in Zimbabwe, one by Shengxiang Investments and the other by Rwizi Rukuru; both already began operations in 2024.
In October 2023, it was announced that Ganfeng Lithium Industry Ltd., another Chinese company, is constructing a lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, with the ability to process 18,000 tons of lithium ore daily.
Although lithium offers significant economic benefits, it also poses considerable challenges, as recent climate reports have highlighted issues such as water contamination, habitat destruction, and displacement, all of which contribute to sustained environmental degradation.
Lithium mining has considerable environmental and social impacts; open-pit mining, a common method of extraction in Africa, can lead to environmental harm and adversely affect nearby communities. Moreover, the surge in investment has brought governance and corruption challenges, sometimes undermining the benefits for local communities.
Africa’s lithium reserves position the continent as a key player in the global shift toward renewable energy and electric vehicles. However, addressing the environmental, social, and governance challenges is essential to unlocking the full potential of lithium mining while ensuring sustainable development and positive outcomes for local communities.
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