Kenya hopes to lower input costs for farmers by producing green fertiliser using geothermal energy.

The new fertiliser factory in Olkaria, Naivasha, is the product of a 30-year deal between the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and the Kaishan Group of China, reports Africa Business Communities.

‘This project shows that Kenya is not just a leading producer and consumer of clean energy, we are now going further to add value and generate prosperity from it,’ President William Ruto said at the launch of the project. ‘By harnessing our geothermal wealth, we are lowering fertiliser costs, supporting our farmers and contributing to global climate goals.’

The project is expected to create 2 000 direct and indirect jobs in construction, operations, maintenance, supply chains and services.

‘These are not temporary handouts; they are career pipelines for electricians, plant operators, process engineers, logistics managers, lab technicians and local suppliers,’ Ruto said.

Kaishan’s Kenyan subsidiary, Kaishan Terra Green Ammonia, will construct and operate the fertiliser factory, which will be powered by 165 MW of KenGen’s geothermal power. The plant is expected to produce between 200 000 and 300 000 tons of green fertiliser annually.

11 November 2025
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