# Why China Is Betting Billions on African Lithium Refineries

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/china-economy-with-fexingo-beijing-s-policies-trade-and-asia-pacific-markets-7871760/why-china-is-betting-billions-on-african-lithium-refineries
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/china-economy-with-fexingo-beijing-s-policies-trade-and-asia-pacific-markets-7871760/why-china-is-betting-billions-on-african-lithium-refineries.md
Podcast: [China Economy with Fexingo: Beijing's Policies, Trade, and Asia-Pacific Markets](https://stenobird.com/podcast/china-economy-with-fexingo-beijing-s-policies-trade-and-asia-pacific-markets-7871760)
Published: 2026-06-19T18:42:47+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/china-economy/episode-0062.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/china-economy/episode-0062.mp3
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Duration seconds: 468

## Resource

Episode 62 of China Economy with Fexingo. Lucas and Luna explore China's strategic push into lithium refining in Africa. With the yuan at 6.76 per dollar and a trade-weighted dollar index of 119.5, Chinese battery giants like CATL and Ganfeng are investing in Zimbabwe and the DRC to secure raw materials outside the Belt and Road debt trap narrative. This episode examines the numbers: $4.2 billion in announced deals since January 2025, the shift from buying ore to building refineries, and how this changes the global battery supply chain. We also discuss why Beijing is encouraging overseas processing to bypass US tariffs, and what it means for Australia's lithium dominance. A concrete look at a move that reshapes trade routes and energy geopolitics. #ChinaEconomy #Lithium #BatterySupplyChain #Africa #CATL #Ganfeng #Zimbabwe #DRC #BeltAndRoad #TradeWar #Yuan #ElectricVehicles #CriticalMinerals #EnergyTransition #Economics #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #AsiaMarkets Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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