Xintai (Palm River Resources) will invest US$200 million to establish a fertiliser plant that will produce 200,000 metric tonnes (MT) of urea and 200,000 MT of ammonium nitrate.

Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026, with production targeted for February 2027.

The project is expected to create jobs, strengthen the local supply of fertiliser, and improve agricultural yields through increased availability of inputs.

In parallel, the government is advancing broader sector investments, including a US$3 billion fertiliser and chemicals project by Jinfeng, supported by a planned 900MW thermal power plant.

Together, these initiatives signal a strategic shift toward domestic production, energy-backed industrialisation, and reduced reliance on imports.

Government has moved decisively to end Zimbabwe’s perennial fertiliser import dependency, with negotiations for a USD3 billion integrated fertilizer and chemical manufacturing plant now at an advanced stage.

Jinfeng Chemical Investments Pvt Ltd is set to establish a multi-phase project encompassing fertiliser and chemical manufacturing, steel smelting and dedicated railway infrastructure.

Upon full operation, the facility will produce 500 000 metric tonnes of ammonia, 520 000 metric tonnes of urea, and 600 000 metric tonnes of compound fertiliser annually.

To support energy requirements for fertiliser production, Jinfeng plans to install a 900MW thermal power plant.

“The project will revitalise and strengthen fertiliser production, restoring sustainable and competitive domestic capacity using local resources,” the Ministry of Industry and Commerce said in a statement.

The announcement follows a recent US$151 million injection into the fertiliser supply chain by Mutapa Investment Fund CEO Dr John Mangudya, an indication of government push for agricultural self-sufficiency.

Zimbabwe currently spends an estimated USD 2 billion annually on fertiliser imports, a burden the new integrated plant aims to drastically reduce.

This initiative also aligns with broader import substitution strategies, including a recent 12-month suspension of import duties on fertiliser for approved importers to stabilise supply and lower input costs for farmers.

The government, in partnership with private players, is spearheading the revival of domestic capacity, with the project set to create thousands of jobs and transform the agricultural value chain.

Liquid C2, a business of Cassava Technologies, has launched Africa’s first Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking a major step in democratising access to cloud and artificial intelligence capabilities across the continent.

The state-of-the-art facility is designed to empower partners and resellers to move beyond traditional distribution, providing the immersive, hands-on environment needed to architect and deploy cloud and AI solutions tailored specifically to African market needs.

Through the centre, partners will be onboarded to a structured journey that guides them in securing official Google Cloud accreditation and certification.

Beyond technical training provided by both Liquid C2 and Google, the centre will also serve as a collaborative hub, allowing partners to work alongside specialist engineers to architect bespoke solutions.

Once finalised, these solutions will be brought to market through Liquid’s robust distribution network.

This expansion not only opens new commercial avenues for partners but also acts as a catalyst for high-value job creation and the rapid maturation of Africa’s technology ecosystem.

The Partner Experience Centre provides the partner and reseller ecosystem in Africa with direct access to enterprise-grade technologies such as Gemini Enterprise and the “Gemini Playspace” for rapid AI experimentation.

It also provides specialist expertise to prototype, test, and scale digital solutions in real-world environments.

The centre is a testament to Liquid C2’s commitment to strengthening its role within the partner ecosystem in Africa, as it supports partners in overcoming infrastructure constraints, skills gaps, and complexity barriers that often slow digital transformation efforts across the continent.

As demand for advanced digital capabilities grows, the Partner Experience Centre serves as an innovation hub where enterprises, startups, academic institutions, developers, and public-sector stakeholders can co-create locally-relevant solutions, fostering a sense of shared progress and community across Africa.

The facility also provides industry-specific platforms tailored to sectors including financial services, healthcare, and retail. These platforms demonstrate how AI-enabled solutions can reduce operational risk, improve efficiency, enhance customer engagement, and unlock new growth opportunities across African markets.

Ziaad Suleman, Senior Vice President of Cassava Technologies and Chief Executive Officer for South Africa and Botswana, said: “At Cassava Technologies, we believe the future of Africa’s digital transformation will be shaped through strong ecosystems that combine global innovation with local infrastructure and expertise.

The Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud creates a practical environment where organisations can explore, test, and scale solutions that deliver real business value. By combining our infrastructure, expertise, and continental reach with Google Cloud’s advanced technologies, we are helping to democratise access to AI and cloud capabilities for enterprises across Africa.”

Tara Brady, President of Google Cloud EMEA, said: “This is a pivotal moment in our commitment to Africa’s digital future. The Partner Experience Centre is a testament to our belief in the power of a strong partner ecosystem. By combining our advanced AI capabilities, including our Gemini models, with Liquid C2’s localised expertise, we are not just building a facility; we are building a hub for innovation that will empower businesses, create jobs, and deliver the benefits of digital transformation to every corner of the continent.”

The collaboration will focus on three core pillars of transformation. First, accelerated partner enablement, with the centre acting as a dedicated Proof-of-Concept hub designed to dismantle historical market barriers.

It provides localised training, hands-on technology interaction, and business support, leveraging Liquid’s capabilities to offer local currency billing and credit to manage financial complexity for resellers.

Second, AI and technology innovation, with a primary focus on empowering partners to build and deploy advanced AI solutions.

The facility features a dedicated Gemini Playspace and AI Solutions to certify technical staff, alongside integrated Solutions Pods where partners can demonstrate complete technology stacks to win complex enterprise bids.

Third, economic growth and job creation, with the partnership serving as a direct investment in Africa’s tech workforce. By strategically broadening the partner network, the initiative will foster deep, localised expertise and act as a catalyst for new economic opportunities, creating a significant ripple effect of job creation for certified engineers and other tech professionals across the continent.

As a business of Cassava Technologies, Liquid C2 has always been at the forefront of bringing cutting-edge digital technologies to African businesses, both directly and through its partner ecosystem.

This first-of-its-kind Partner Experience Centre is yet another milestone that reflects the company’s commitment to partnerships that leverage its continental footprint to serve a broader base of organisations.

Aligned with this, Cassava continues to expand digital inclusion across Africa through its integrated portfolio of connectivity, cloud, cyber security, and digital solutions, ensuring that a broad spectrum of organisations, regardless of size or sector, can access and benefit from advanced technologies, thereby enabling more inclusive participation in Africa’s digital economy.