Hichilema launches massive United Capital Fertilizer expansion

By Hellen Bwalya
Zambia’s ​Republican President Hakainde Hichilema has officially commissioned the construction of Phase II of United Capital Fertilizer’s urea plant at Wonderful Industrial Park in Chilanga District, marking a major milestone under a US1.6 billion investment designed to expand Zambia’s domestic fertilizer production capacity, create thousands of jobs, and strengthen the nation’s position as a regional agricultural supplier. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, President Hichilema hailed United Capital Fertilizer for its continued investment and for transforming what was once a rocky farm area into a major industrial site, stating that the project demonstrated growing investor confidence in Zambia while strengthening fertilizer production capacity and supporting agricultural productivity. Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to creating a conducive business environment and investing in infrastructure to support industrial expansion, the President stated, “Government is Committed to Supporting Investments Like This. UREA PLANT PHASE II US1.6 BILLION.”
​The expansion project is projected to generate substantial employment opportunities, targeting up to 10,000 direct jobs alongside further opportunities in fertilizer distribution, trucking, and trading. Emphasizing that United Capital Fertilizer is a local entity that directly benefits citizens, President Hichilema remarked, “UCF is a Zambian Company, Employing Zambians Directly and Indirectly.” Highlighting the broader scope of domestic manufacturing, the President stressed the need to accelerate investment in the chemical industry, noting that coal is increasingly being utilized beyond electricity generation through cleaner technologies to support the production of urea and explosives required by the mining sector. He further urged the Cabinet to prioritize projects under the Grow Zambia Agenda to accelerate economic growth through investment and trade, noting that increased fertilizer production with assured quality and correct weight is helping improve agricultural productivity to meet Zambia’s targets. Reflecting on past improvements in the agricultural input sector, the President added, “Before We Used to Have Poor Quality Fertilizer And Underweight But Not Anymore.”
​The event featured strong endorsements from key stakeholders regarding bilateral cooperation, industrial sustainability, and infrastructure development. UCF Board Chairperson Chance Kabaghe noted that the investment directly supports the Government’s agricultural targets, while Wuhuan Engineering Company Chairperson Yu Xin and Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing emphasized that the partnership reflects a comprehensive, strategic, and cooperative relationship that facilitates Zambia’s transition from a fertilizer importer to a regional net exporter. Furthermore, Acting Minister of Finance and National Planning Mulambo Haimbe and Wonderful Group Chief Executive Officer Huang Yaoch highlighted the role of private-sector participation in driving economic diversification, increasing treasury revenue, and prompting necessary investments in supporting infrastructure such as regional roads and rail networks. Concluding the event, President Hichilema praised the company’s advanced wastewater management system as an example of sustainable industrial practice and called for stronger public-private partnerships to rehabilitate and modernize Zambia Railways, stressing that efficient logistics are essential to supporting investment, trade, and economic growth.

Ends

希奇莱马出席大型化肥扩产项目奠基仪式
​作者：海伦·布瓦利亚
​赞比亚共和国总统哈凯恩德·希奇莱马在奇兰加区奇妙工业园正式出席联合国资本化肥公司（UCF）尿素工厂二期项目奠基仪式。该项目是总投资16亿美元投资计划的重要里程碑，旨在提升赞比亚本土化肥生产能力、创造数千个就业岗位，并巩固赞比亚作为区域农业供应国地位。希奇莱马总统在奠基仪式上高度赞扬联合国资本化肥公司的持续投资，称赞其将昔日一片石砾荒芜的农场打造成了大型工业基地。他指出，该项目不仅体现了投资者对赞比亚日益增强的投资信心，也提升了本土化肥产能并赋能农业生产力。总统重申赞政府致力于营造良好营商环境并加大基础设施投入以支持工业扩张，并强调：“政府将坚定不移地支持此类投资项目，尿素工厂二期项目投资额达16亿美元。” 该扩产项目预计将创造大量就业机会，计划直接提供多达1,0000个工作岗位，同时在化肥分销、卡车运输和商品贸易等衍生领域带动更多就业。希奇莱马总统特别强调联合国资本化肥公司是直接惠及本国民众的本土企业，他指出：“UCF是一家赞比亚本土企业，直接和间接地吸纳赞比亚劳动力就业。” 围绕本土制造业的宏观发展前景，总统强调必须加快对化学工业的投资，指出煤炭正通过更清洁的技术得到深化利用，除了用于发电外，还广泛应用于尿素以及矿业所需炸药的生产。他进一步敦促内阁优先推进“振兴赞比亚议程”下的项目，通过扩大投资和贸易加速经济增长，并指出品质精良、分量充足的化肥产能提升正有力助推农业生产力迈向预定目标。回顾以往农业生产资料领域的改善成果，总统总结道：“过去我们常面临化肥质量差、分量不足的问题，但如今这一局面已不复存在。”
​本次活动中，各方重要利益相关者对双边合作、工业可持续发展及基础设施建设给予了高度评价。UCF董事会主席钱斯·卡巴ghe指出，该项投资直接助力政府农业目标的实现；五环工程公司董事长俞新与中国驻赞比亚大使韩镜强调，这一合作充分体现了全面战略合作伙伴关系，正推动赞比亚实现从化肥进口国向区域净出口国的转变；代理财政与国家规划部部长穆兰博·海姆贝与奇妙集团首席执行官黄耀祝则突出了私营部门参与在推动经济多元化、增加财政收入以及拉动区域公路和铁路网等配套基础设施投资方面的关键作用；活动最后，希奇莱马总统赞扬了该公司先进的污水处理系统，称其为可持续工业实践的典范，并呼吁进一步深化公私合作伙伴关系以改造和推进赞比亚铁路现代化，强调高效的物流体系对于支持投资、贸易和经济增长至关重要。