Zimbabwe is fast-tracking its mission to produce fertiliser locally. A massive US$200 million investment by Xintai is paved to deliver a new production facility designed to slash expensive imports and bolster the nation’s farming industry.
Operating under Palm River Resources, the plant will manufacture 200,000 metric tonnes of urea and 200,000 metric tonnes of ammonium nitrate every year.
This significant increase in production is expected to give farmers much better access to the essential supplies they need. Construction is set to kick off in June 2026, with the first batches of fertiliser expected to roll off the line by February 2027.
Beyond increasing crop yields, the project is expected to create numerous jobs. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce noted that this development is a key part of a wider plan to expand the country's fertiliser supply chain. The ministry stated, “The government is facilitating new investments in the fertiliser value chain, including large-scale nitrogenous fertiliser plants, to ensure farmers have reliable access to inputs at competitive prices.”
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Thomas Utete Wushe, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, emphasised that this initiative is vital for closing the current production gap. He remarked, “The partnership between these investors stands ready to help Zimbabwe bridge the domestic production gap.” Wushe believes the project could completely transform the industry and make Zimbabwe self-sufficient in fertiliser production by 2030.
The project’s unique "integrated model" has also earned praise from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. Minister Winston Chitando highlighted how the plant represents a modern approach to industrial growth. “Palm River is pioneering the generation of its own electricity and utilising gas emissions for power, a first in Zimbabwe.
This is exactly the kind of integrated, energy-backed industrialisation we want to see replicated across the country,” he said.
At the same time, the government is moving forward with an even larger US$3 billion fertiliser and chemicals project by Jinfeng. This massive undertaking will be supported by its own 900-megawatt thermal power plant to ensure a steady supply of electricity.
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