Hichilema Launches US$1.6 Billion Fertiliser Plant Expansion in Chilanga

President Hakainde Hichilema has launched the Phase II expansion of United Capital Fertilizer’s ammonia and urea plant in Chilanga, a USD 1.6 billion project expected to boost employment and domestic fertiliser production.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the President said the expansion would raise the number of direct jobs at the facility from 7,400 to 10,000. Once complete, the Chilanga plant will be the second largest fertiliser plant in Africa.

President Hichilema said locally produced fertiliser was essential to meeting the country’s agricultural production targets under the Grow Zambia Agenda.

“Our targets are 10 million tonnes of maize, three million tonnes of soya beans, and one million tonnes each of wheat and sugar,” he said.

He added that greater domestic production of D Compound and urea would strengthen Zambian farmers and reduce the country’s reliance on imported fertiliser, describing United Capital Fertilizer as a key catalyst of the Grow Zambia Agenda.

The President also noted that the company had become a net exporter of fertiliser to regional markets, earning Zambia valuable foreign exchange.

Summing up the Government’s approach, President Hichilema said: “Seek ye first accelerated economic growth through investment and trade, and all things will be added.”

He congratulated United Capital Fertilizer on reaching the milestone and said he looked forward to the completion of the expansion.