Zimbabwe's Lithium Runs Through China

 Semafor published on 13 March 2026 an article titled "Zimbabwe's Lithium Upgrade Still Runs Through China" by Ray Mwayera.

Zimbabwe produced almost 10 percent of global mined lithium last year and provided about 15 percent of processed lithium in China.  Harare banned exports of raw lithium ore in 2022 and plans to prohibit exports of lithium concentrates by 2027, forcing companies to invest in local processing.  The companies building the lithium infrastructure in Zimbabwe are overwhelmingly Chinese.  This raises the question whether Zimbabwe is building an independent refining sector or simply deepening its role inside China's battery ecosystem.  

China Finances Huge Moroccan Battery Factory

 Msn.com posted on 16 September 2025 an article titled "Morocco Emerges as Africa's First Host of a Battery Gigafactory in $5.6 Billion China-backed Deal."

China is financing a facility in Morocco for producing essential components for electric vehicle batteries.  About 85 percent of the batteries will be exported to the European Union.  

China Expands Engagement in Morocco

 Al-Monitor published on 20 October 2024 an article titled "What's Behind China's Deepening Engagement with Morocco?" by Sabena Siddiqui.

Chinese companies are winning contracts to expand Morocco's high speed rail system and signed a $6.4 billion memorandum of understanding to construct an EV battery "gigafactory" near Rabat.  There is growing Chinese investment in Morocco's ICT sector.  In 2022, China became Morocco's third largest trading partner.

China Turns to Morocco to Enter European Electric Vehicle Market

 Politico published on 26 June 2024 an article titled "China Targets Morocco as Launchpad into Europe's Green Auto Market" by Antonia Zimmermann and Jordyn Dahl.  

China hopes to access the European electric vehicle market by building an EV battery gigafactory in Tangier and taking advantage of Morocco's trade agreements with EU countries to skirt tariff and trade restrictions.  

Chinese Company to Locate EV Battery Factory in Morocco

 The Global Business Council posted on 30 March 2024 an article titled "Chinese EV Battery Makers Turn to Morocco."

Chinese EV battery maker, Jiangsu BTR New Material Group, has been granted approval by the Moroccan government to establish a battery factory for electric vehicles in Tanger.  The $300 million investment looks to sell the batteries to the nearby European market and take advantage of Morocco's free trade agreement with the United States to access the North American market.