Zimbabwe entered into a deal with an unnamed foreign investor to manufacture lithium batteries, Deputy Mines Minister Polite Kambamura said on Sunday.
Kambamura told the state-run Sunday Mail that the government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the foreign investor last week in a move that is set to make Zimbabwe “the hub for lithium batteries in the region.”
“We signed an MOU with a company interested in manufacturing lithium batteries in Mapinga, Mashonaland West province, and we expect this to be a game changer,” Kambamura said.
He said Zimbabwe had an advantage over other countries in that it has “most of the mineral components needed for manufacturing of the batteries, including nickel, cobalt and copper.”
Zimbabwe holds some of the world’s largest lithium reserves.
Lithium is an essential component in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles, solar systems and cellphones.
The global crusade to reduce carbon emissions has led to growing demand for low-carbon technology.
JN/APA