The construction of a sprawling fertilizer manufacturing facility in Zambia is being lauded as a “historic milestone for Africa” by Botswana’s President Duma Boko. The United Capital Fertilizer Zambia Limited plant, a $600 million project, is on track to become the continent’s second-largest urea producer, with an ambitious target of 800,000 metric tons annually upon completion.
President Boko, who is on a state visit to Zambia, toured the site alongside his counterpart, President Hakainde Hichilema. Boko expressed his satisfaction with the project’s progress, calling it a “game-changer for the region and a symbol of Africa’s rise in industrial capacity.”
The facility, which was commissioned by President Hichilema in April 2023, is a key component of Zambia’s strategy to bolster food security and accelerate agro-industrial growth. According to Gilbert Temba, Chairperson of the Wonderful Group of Companies, the plant is already exporting 50% of its fertilizer output to other African markets.
The project is also a significant job creator, with 10,000 Zambians currently employed. Temba said this number is expected to double with the completion of the project’s second phase.
In a move towards sustainability, a company director revealed that the plant has begun generating 85 megawatts of power from fertilizer waste, with a long-term goal of reaching 700 megawatts within two years.
United Capital Fertilizer Company Limited specializes in producing a range of fertilizers, including Urea, DAP, NPK, and custom blends, catering to the diverse needs of African agriculture. The plant is currently at 65% completion.
