Zimbabwe has officially begun exporting lithium concentrate through Mozambique’s Port of Maputo, marking an important milestone in strengthening regional logistics and improving access to international markets for one of Africa’s most valuable critical minerals.
The first shipment, comprising approximately 1,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate, departed from the recently commissioned West Nicholson rail siding in Zimbabwe before beginning its journey to the Port of Maputo through a coordinated cross-border rail network.
The new export corridor is the result of a partnership between the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and the Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR), aimed at providing mining companies with a more efficient and cost-effective route to global markets.
Under the arrangement, BBR transports the lithium concentrate over a 180-kilometre section from the mining region near Gwanda to Beitbridge. From there, NRZ takes over, moving the cargo approximately 300 kilometres to the Mozambican border at Chicualacuala, where it joins Mozambique’s rail network before continuing to the Port of Maputo.
The new logistics corridor is expected to reduce transport costs, improve export efficiency and strengthen regional trade integration while supporting Zimbabwe’s growing lithium industry.
Zimbabwe possesses Africa’s largest known lithium reserves and has rapidly become the continent’s leading producer as global demand continues to rise for battery minerals used in electric vehicles, renewable energy storage and advanced electronics.
The National Railways of Zimbabwe said expanding rail freight remains central to supporting the country’s industrial growth and ensuring mining exports move efficiently to international markets.
Mozambique’s state-owned Ports and Railways company (CFM) confirmed the arrival of the first lithium train into the country and noted that it continues to work closely with cargo owners to facilitate future shipments.
CFM already operates more than 230 kilometres of railway infrastructure inside Zimbabwe under bilateral agreements with NRZ. These operations include the southern corridor between Chicualacuala and Rutenga, as well as the central corridor linking Machipanda and Nyazura, providing critical freight connections between the two neighbouring countries.
The launch of the Maputo export route further strengthens Southern Africa’s transport network and positions the Port of Maputo as an increasingly important gateway for the export of critical minerals from the region. As investment in battery mineral production accelerates across Africa, efficient regional logistics corridors are expected to play a vital role in supporting the continent’s ambitions to become a key supplier to the global clean energy economy.