When the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted in February 2022, global supply chains were disrupted, sending shockwaves through Africa’s agricultural sector. In Zambia, farmers faced skyrocketing fertilizer prices and dwindling supplies, threatening their livelihoods. The country relied heavily on imports from Russia and Ukraine, spending over $110 million annually, yet in 2022, it required 632,529 metric tonnes of fertilizer while domestic production fell far short.
For decades, Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ), the state-owned fertilizer producer, operated with outdated equipment and a capacity of only 70,000 metric tonnes per year. This shortfall left Zambia vulnerable and dependent on imports, with little room to meet domestic agricultural demand.
The African Development Fund recognized this challenge as an opportunity. In July 2022, it approved $14.73 million in financing through the Zambia Emergency Food Production Facility (ZEFPF), a strategic initiative aimed at providing immediate relief and transforming the country’s agricultural ecosystem. A key element was a $1.25 million grant to NCZ for raw materials to restart production at its newly built $5.5 million plant, signaling a major step toward revitalizing the nation’s fertilizer industry.
With this support, NCZ commissioned its state-of-the-art blending and granulating plant. CEO Chanda M. Mongo described the investment as transformational, enabling the company to dramatically expand production and modernize operations. By 2025, NCZ’s capacity increased six-fold to 432,880 metric tonnes, and with the addition of two private-sector plants, Zambia is on track to achieve fertilizer self-sufficiency by 2026 while reducing prices by 40%.
The initiative extended beyond production, building an integrated agricultural ecosystem. Soil-testing equipment was provided to the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, and 300 extension officers were equipped with motorbikes and tablets to improve climate-smart agriculture practices. Training programs conducted through the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture enhanced precision farming, while a Sustainable Agriculture Finance Facility offered loans that benefited over 18,000 smallholder farmers and engaged 1,700 agro-dealers, generating more than 5,000 jobs.
Smallholder farmers like Grace Nyirongo Phiri have experienced the transformation firsthand. With ADF-backed financing, she installed drip irrigation, a borehole, and solar pumps, increasing crop yields by 35%. Grace is one of over 25,000 beneficiaries whose farming practices, productivity, and incomes have been elevated through the program.
Zambia’s agricultural revival has had a wider economic impact. Maize production has reached 3.7 million metric tonnes, exceeding national consumption of 2.5 million metric tonnes, creating a surplus of 1.2 million metric tonnes and positioning the country as a regional food exporter.
Through modernized fertilizer production, advanced soil testing, precision farming, and strategic financing, Zambia has transitioned from a fertilizer importer to a self-sufficient producer and emerging regional exporter. The African Development Bank’s intervention demonstrates how strategic development financing can empower farmers, strengthen national food security, and provide a model for agricultural transformation across Africa.
