Chinese Embassy Urges Nationals to Strengthen Compliance Amid Zimbabwe’s Raw Mineral Export Ban

Harare - The People's Republic of China Embassy in Zimbabwe has issued a formal advisory to its nationals and corporate entities, urging heightened risk prevention and compliance awareness in response to sweeping new economic regulations introduced by the Zimbabwean government on raw minerals export.

The diplomatic notice follows Harare’s recent decision to suspend the export of raw minerals and lithium concentrates, alongside the introduction of new reserved sectors regulations that restrict certain business activities to indigenous players.

The move by the Chinese mission signals a cautious shift in tone for the Asian superpower’s economic engagement in Zimbabwe, which has seen billions of dollars in Chinese investment, particularly in the mining and infrastructure sectors, over the last decade.

In the statement, the Embassy reminded it's citizens that rigorous due diligence before committing capital to the Southern African nation is needed.

Investors are now being directed to conduct comprehensive and in-depth assessments of local industrial policies to mitigate losses arising from sudden shifts in government strategy.

"Prior to making investments in Zimbabwe, investors shall conduct a comprehensive and in-depth assessment of the local business environment," the Embassy stated, a sign of volatility of the current policy landscape.

The advisory further said Chinese enterprises must strictly abide by local laws and utilise legal channels to protect their commercial interests.

Zimbabwe seeks to formalise its value addition policy, which mandates the domestic processing of minerals to boost national revenue and China remains Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner, especially in the lithium sector.