Buy Zimbabwe Chairman Munyaradzi Hwengwere has welcomed Government’s decision to suspend the export of raw minerals and lithium concentrate, saying the policy marks a critical turning point for Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and job creation agenda.
Hwengwere said recent Buy Zimbabwe trade analysis showed that the country has largely been exporting unprocessed resources while importing finished goods — a pattern that has constrained domestic industrial growth.
“If you noticed, as Buy Zimbabwe we released our 2025 import and export figures, and out of the US$9.7 billion exported, the bulk was actually concentrates or raw minerals, together with tobacco,” he said.
“Zimbabwe has mainly been exporting minerals in concentrated form, meaning only a few impurities are removed, except for gold which is locally refined.”
He added that while exports have largely consisted of raw resources, Zimbabwe continues to import essential products including grains, chemicals, energy, vehicles and machinery.
“The result is that industrial growth in Zimbabwe is constrained. So now we support this move by the Minister because it means further value addition and more local jobs,” Hwengwere said.
The ban, announced by Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr. Polite Kambamura, took immediate effect and includes all raw mineral exports — even consignments already in transit. Government says the measure is aimed at promoting in-country beneficiation, improving mineral accountability and ensuring greater value retention within Zimbabwe.
Buy Zimbabwe Advocacy Officer Elvis Masvaure described the decision as a proactive policy shift that will encourage investment in local processing facilities, stimulate innovation and enhance export earnings in line with National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
Zimbabwe is Africa’s leading lithium producer and ranks sixth globally, with the mineral playing a key role in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies. Analysts say local processing could significantly increase export value while creating employment through the construction of beneficiation plants.
Economic analyst Professor Gift Mugano said value-added minerals can fetch between five and ten times more on global markets compared to raw exports, adding that beneficiation would strengthen Zimbabwe’s industrial base.
Under new regulations outlined by the Ministry of Mines, only companies holding valid mining titles and approved beneficiation plants will be authorised to export minerals. Exporters must also submit recommendation letters from Provincial Mining Offices, declare mineral composition, and comply fully with requirements enforced by ZIMRA, MMCZ and other regulators.
Zimbabwe exported goods worth US$9.7 billion last year against imports of US$10.1 billion, with mineral exports accounting for US$7.6 billion. Authorities hope the beneficiation policy will help narrow the import gap and sustain trade surpluses.
Meanwhile, Buy Zimbabwe will host the Buy Local Conference on 26 March 2026, aimed at advancing policies that promote local production, value addition and export competitiveness as the country shifts toward a beneficiation-driven mining sector.
