PRESIDENT SAMIA UNVEILS EAST AFRICA’S LARGEST FERTILIZER PLANT, HERALDS NEW ERA FOR REGIONAL AGRICULTURE

The ITRACOM Fertilizers plant a bold shift toward agricultural self-reliance, job creation, and regional economic integration.

Tanzania Agriculture East africa Largest fertilizer manufacturing plant Farmers Transformation.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan inaugurate the ITRACOM Fertilizers plant in Nala, Dodoma


In a transformative move for East African agriculture, President Samia Suluhu Hassan on June 28 inaugurated the ITRACOM Fertilizers plant in Nala, Dodoma, now the largest fertilizer manufacturing facility in the region with a capacity of one million tonnes annually. The plant marks a bold shift toward agricultural self-reliance, job creation, and regional economic integration.

The state-of-the-art facility, owned by Burundian firm ITRACOM Fertilizers, is set to employ 3,000 people at full capacity and significantly reduce Tanzania’s dependence on imported fertilizer, which President Samia revealed accounts for up to 90% of the continent’s supply.

President Samia urged farmers to embrace the affordable, locally produced inputs to boost crop yields and reduce production costs.

The President also called for a robust fertilizer distribution network, especially in underserved rural areas, and encouraged collaboration with research institutions to guide farmers on effective usage.

Beyond national benefits, the launch signals strengthening economic ties between Tanzania and Burundi. Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who joined the inauguration, celebrated the milestone as a symbol of regional solidarity. “Burundians are no longer just coming to Tanzania as refugees; we are coming as investors,” he said, affirming the plant’s role in reducing import costs and stabilizing supply chains across Africa.

President Samia also pointed to major infrastructure projects, including the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Uvinza to Musongati, as pillars of ongoing Burundi–Tanzania cooperation, deepening trade and connectivity.

The plant’s opening aligns with Tanzania’s broader agricultural transformation agenda and complements its national fertilizer subsidy program aimed at improving access for farmers. With this development, Tanzania positions itself not only as a regional agricultural hub but also as a model for industrial policy that delivers jobs, investment, and resilience.

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