Global scramble for critical minerals sees UK, Zimbabwe rekindle their ties after 30 years

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Driven by the global race for critical minerals, the UK and Zimbabwe are rekindling ties after nearly three decades of diplomatic strain, signaling a shift toward commercially focused partnerships, according to a report read more
Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom are restoring diplomatic relations after nearly 30 years of strained ties, as growing global demand for critical minerals drives renewed engagement between the two countries, according to a Bloomberg report.
In June, UK Minister for Africa Lord Ray Collins met with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and top officials, marking a rare high-level engagement after years of frosty relations under former President Robert Mugabe.
Collins called the trip a 'mission for economic growth,' aiming for a 'win-win' partnership, added the report.
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The British Embassy in Harare highlighted a $1 billion pipeline of potential deals spanning agriculture, finance, telecoms, renewable energy, and critical minerals.
It named the 30-megawatt Vungu solar project as a flagship investment, with more initiatives expected to follow.
'The UK is working hard to increase trade and investment for mutual benefit,' Bloomberg quoted a spokesperson as saying in an emailed response to questions.
The background
Ties between Zimbabwe and the UK were strong after independence in 1980, with Britain as a key trading partner and aid donor.
But relations soured in 1997 when the UK refused to fund Zimbabwe's land reform, stating it had no colonial obligation to do so. Tensions escalated with Zimbabwe's 2000 farm seizures, leading to Western sanctions over property rights violations.
By 2024, the UK had fallen to Zimbabwe's 14th-largest trading partner, with $155 million in trade — far behind China ($3.9 billion) and the UAE ($2.9 billion).
The UK's renewed outreach, however, signals more than diplomacy.
It reflects a strategic push for access to Zimbabwe's critical minerals, especially lithium, Zaynab Hoosen of Pangea-Risk told Bloomberg.
'Zimbabwe's substantial lithium reserves offer a timely opportunity to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on dominant producers,' Bloomberg quoted Hoosen as saying.
Western nations, including the US and UK, are racing to secure critical minerals vital for clean energy, defence, semiconductors, and EV batteries.
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In a policy paper last month, the UK said its upcoming critical minerals strategy will emphasise targeted growth partnerships.
According to Hoosen, the UK is shifting from traditional aid to commercially driven, mutually beneficial ties under its new 'Approach to Africa,' unveiled in June.
'Recent moves include an infrastructure partnership with South Africa, which builds on existing cooperation in platinum group metals and the UK's first trade and investment mission to Angola, where UK-based firm Pensana Plc is advancing the Longonjo Rare Earth Project
For Zimbabwe, the benefits go beyond minerals diplomacy, as the stronger ties with the UK 'offer access to diversified investment, expanded trade and renewed international legitimacy,' Hoosen added.
With inputs from agencies