Zimbabwe approves $1.59bn in new projects

Zimbabwe approved $1.59 billion in new investment projects during the second quarter of 2026, with mining and manufacturing accounting for nearly 80 percent of the total. The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency said the approvals span lithium extraction and cement production. The country has become Africa's largest lithium producer, attracting Chinese firms and other international miners. Authorities hope the investments will accelerate exports and create jobs, though infrastructure bottlenecks and power shortages remain obstacles. Zimbabwe targets $12 billion in annual mining exports by 2030.