In a significant advancement for Zimbabwe’s clean energy ambitions, state-owned Verify Engineering (Pvt) Ltd has announced a perfect performance record for its lithium-ion battery prototypes, following an intensive year-long evaluation process. The batteries, which are designed for use in various small electronic devices, demonstrated a zero-failure rate—an achievement regarded as a potential catalyst for the country’s emergence as a leading regional hub for green technology.
The firm, operating under the purview of the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, confirmed that its production-grade lithium-ion batteries—each with a projected lifespan of ten years—completed the trial period without any performance degradation or technical failure. The successful evaluation not only validates the product’s durability and reliability but also enhances its commercial viability in both local and export markets.
Engineer Pedzisai Tapfumaneyi, Chief Executive Officer of Verify Engineering, attributed the success to the robustness of the battery architecture and the depth of quality assurance embedded within the testing framework. “We are pleased to report that after a year of rigorous testing, we recorded a zero-failure rate in the final month, which confirms the product’s operational consistency and long-term reliability,” said Tapfumaneyi.
Zimbabwe holds the largest lithium reserves in Africa and the fifth-largest globally, according to data from The Herald. These mineral reserves are increasingly seen as a cornerstone for driving foreign currency earnings and facilitating industrial transformation if harnessed through in-country value addition and beneficiation.
Since the enactment of a ban on raw lithium concentrate exports in December 2022 under the Base Mineral Export Control Act, Zimbabwe has enforced policies aimed at boosting domestic processing. These measures include the imposition of export tariffs on unprocessed minerals and the removal of import duties on processing equipment to encourage local investment in mineral transformation industries.
This policy pivot has opened the door for integrated industrial ecosystems such as the Mines-to-Energy Industrial Park in Mapinga, which will house facilities for battery-grade lithium conversion, graphite processing, and electric vehicle battery assembly. Verify Engineering’s lithium-ion battery project is closely aligned with these national objectives, reinforcing the drive toward domestic industrialisation and green manufacturing.
Founded in April 2005, Verify Engineering has established a strong national footprint, particularly in the production and distribution of industrial and medical gases in urban centres including Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare. The firm now seeks to scale its lithium technology initiative by raising approximately US$28 million to build a full-scale manufacturing plant. The research and development phase of the battery project is estimated to have cost around US$500,000.
“Commercialising the lithium-ion battery will be the next milestone. With the successful testing phase complete, we are now actively looking to attract investors and strategic partners,” Tapfumaneyi stated in a recent interview. He also noted that the initiative had previously garnered industry recognition with an award for innovation, reflecting growing domestic and international confidence in Zimbabwe’s green-tech capacity.
As global demand for sustainable energy solutions accelerates, Zimbabwe’s commitment to beneficiation and local manufacturing could position it as a major continental contributor to the global energy transition. Through strategic investment in lithium technology, the country may not only reduce its dependence on raw material exports but also capture greater economic value from its abundant mineral resources.
