Zambia commissions US$110M glucose, starch plant
It will produce starch, glucose, maltodextrin, and animal feed by-products, serving the food, beverage, and manufacturing industries.
ZAMBIA – Zambia has commissioned its first Glucose and Starch Plant under Kingsworth Group Limited (KGL), a subsidiary of Trade Kings Group, on October 22, 2025, at the Lusaka Multi-Facility Economic Zone.
Officially launched by President Hakainde Hichilema, the US$110 million facility marks a pivotal milestone in the nation’s industrialization and economic transformation, emphasizing value addition, job creation, and reduced dependence on imports.
President Hichilema hailed the project as a testament to Zambia’s shift from a consumption-driven to a production and export-oriented economy.
“This is a national milestone in our quest for industrialization and value addition to our economic growth. We are matching the talk with action, walking the talk,” he declared.
The KGL plant, developed in two phases with US$60 million for phase one and US$50 million for phase two, positions Zambia as Africa’s third producer of glucose and starch, following Egypt and South Africa.
It will produce starch, glucose, maltodextrin, and animal feed by-products, serving the food, beverage, and manufacturing industries while sourcing 126,000 tonnes of maize annually from local farmers, thus strengthening the agricultural value chain. The facility is expected to create over 1,000 direct jobs.
Mr. Phil Daka, Trade Kings Group Executive Director for Corporate Affairs, described the plant as a defining step toward economic self-reliance.
The plant is projected to save over US$30 million annually in import costs and generate up to US$150 million in export revenue, bolstering exchange rate stability and economic resilience.
Commending Trade Kings Group, President Hichilema noted that their investments in Zambia’s industrial sector now exceed US$1 billion, supporting over 17,500 jobs nationwide.
“Even single mining companies do not employ such numbers,” he emphasized, highlighting the significance of private-sector partnerships.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a stable investment environment through measures to stabilize inflation, maintain a predictable exchange rate, and eliminate bureaucratic obstacles.
“This investment exemplifies the success of public-private collaboration and President Hichilema’s enabling policies,” he stated, crediting Multi-Facility Economic Zone incentives for facilitating the project.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga underscored the industrial revival under the New Dawn administration, stating, “A few years ago, industries were closing. Today, we are witnessing the birth of new industries and jobs.”
With Zambia’s 61st Independence Anniversary approaching, President Hichilema highlighted the plant’s commissioning as a symbol of a new era of economic independence driven by production and innovation.
He also announced the upcoming commissioning of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia plant in Kafue, further signaling the country’s industrial progress.
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