Kenya Launches $800 Million Green Ammonia Fertiliser Project

Fertilizer Complex

Kenya has launched an $800 million green ammonia fertiliser project at Olkaria, Naivasha (Nakuru County), a joint venture between China’s Kaishan Group and the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen). President William Ruto led the groundbreaking ceremony on 3 November 2025, marking the start of Africa’s first geothermal-powered ammonia plant.

Project Overview

The facility will use 165 MW of geothermal energy to power ammonia synthesis via the Haber–Bosch process, producing up to 480,000 tonnes of fertiliser annually, according to President Ruto. Depending on downstream configuration, output could include urea, AmSul , and CAN or some configuration of these nitrogen fertilizers.

Market Analysis, Impact

Kenya’s nitrogen fertilizer consumption in 2025 is estimated at around 292,000 tonnes, primarily urea and CAN. According to AFRIQOM’s forecast, national demand could rise to 429,000 tonnes by 2030. At a planned annual production capacity of 480,000 tonnes, the new facility could fully meet Kenya’s domestic nitrogen fertilizer requirements while generating a regional surplus sufficient to supply neighbouring markets in Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.

The possibility of producing CAN is unlikely due the involvement of ammonium nitrate as a feedstock due to the hurdles in Kenyan regulations - contact for more details, leaving urea as the main contender.