Kenya has taken a major step toward agricultural independence and clean industrial growth with the launch of a new green ammonia fertiliser plant in Olkaria, Naivasha, Nakuru County.
President William Ruto on Monday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which is being developed jointly by China’s Kaishan Group and Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).
Valued at about $800 million (KSh100 billion), the plant is expected to produce 480,000 tonnes of fertiliser each year, equivalent to more than nine million 50-kilogram bags. The facility aims to help Kenya reduce its reliance on imported fertiliser and stabilise local prices.
In 2023, Kenya imported over 600,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser, and by mid-2025, another 443,000 tonnes had already been brought in at a cost of around KSh60 billion. The new project seeks to cut these costs while ensuring local farmers can access affordable and reliable supplies.
The Olkaria plant will use 165 megawatts of geothermal energy to synthesise green ammonia, the first project of its kind in Africa. Officials said the technology will prevent more than 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, the same as removing over 130,000 vehicles from the road.
The project is also set to create over 2,000 jobs during construction and generate about $13 million (KSh1.7 billion) in annual profits for KenGen once operational.
Government and company officials present at the event included Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, KenGen Chief Executive Peter Njenga, and Dr. Yan Tang from Kaishan Group.
The initiative has been described as a strong signal of investor confidence in Kenya’s clean energy and industrial sectors. Experts view it as a key part of the country’s food security and sustainability agenda, combining renewable power with local manufacturing to support farmers and the wider economy.
The Olkaria plant is expected to position Kenya as a regional leader in green fertiliser production and renewable-powered manufacturing once construction is complete.
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