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Zambia has signed two landmark agreements with Morocco aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, improving food security, and reducing the country’s dependence on imported fertilisers.
The agreements, signed Tuesday at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka, involve the Ministry of Agriculture, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ), and Moroccan fertiliser giant OCP Africa.
The first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Agriculture and OCP Africa focuses on implementing a nationwide soil mapping programme and promoting the use of customised fertiliser blends tailored to Zambia’s diverse soil conditions.
The second MoU, involving IDC, NCZ, and OCP Africa, is expected to significantly enhance Zambia’s fertiliser manufacturing capacity and move the country closer to self-sufficiency—potentially slashing its fertiliser import bill, which currently runs into hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Agriculture Minister, Reuben Phiri, described the deals as transformative, saying they would help increase yields in key crops such as maize, soybeans, rice, and horticultural produce.
“With these agreements, farmers will gain access to scientifically formulated and affordable fertilisers suited to their specific soil and crop needs,” Phiri said.
Phiri said the soil mapping programme would involve detailed surveys across all provinces, leading to the development of a national fertility map. This will guide fertiliser formulation and eliminate guesswork for farmers.
IDC Chief Executive Officer, Cornwell Muleya, said the partnership with OCP Africa is expected to create over 1,000 direct jobs and strengthen Zambia’s position in Africa’s fertiliser value chain.
He added that the deal covered key areas such as fertiliser blending, green ammonia production, and capacity building.
OCP Africa Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Hettiti, said the initiative would introduce green ammonia production in Zambia, using renewable energy to cut the carbon footprint of fertiliser production.
“This strategic partnership empowers Zambian farmers with the tools they need to improve yields and livelihoods while contributing to sustainable development,” Hettiti said.
The agreements may mark a major milestone in Zambia’s efforts to modernise its agriculture sector and build resilience in food systems.
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