Government has moved decisively to end Zimbabwe’s perennial fertiliser import dependency, with negotiations for a USD3 billion integrated fertilizer and chemical manufacturing plant now at an advanced stage.
Jinfeng Chemical Investments Pvt Ltd is set to establish a multi-phase project encompassing fertiliser and chemical manufacturing, steel smelting and dedicated railway infrastructure.
Upon full operation, the facility will produce 500 000 metric tonnes of ammonia, 520 000 metric tonnes of urea, and 600 000 metric tonnes of compound fertiliser annually.
To support energy requirements for fertiliser production, Jinfeng plans to install a 900MW thermal power plant.
“The project will revitalise and strengthen fertiliser production, restoring sustainable and competitive domestic capacity using local resources,” the Ministry of Industry and Commerce said in a statement.
The announcement follows a recent US$151 million injection into the fertiliser supply chain by Mutapa Investment Fund CEO Dr John Mangudya, an indication of government push for agricultural self-sufficiency.
Zimbabwe currently spends an estimated USD 2 billion annually on fertiliser imports, a burden the new integrated plant aims to drastically reduce.
This initiative also aligns with broader import substitution strategies, including a recent 12-month suspension of import duties on fertiliser for approved importers to stabilise supply and lower input costs for farmers.
The government, in partnership with private players, is spearheading the revival of domestic capacity, with the project set to create thousands of jobs and transform the agricultural value chain.