Africa-focused mining chemicals supplier Kemcore is planning to build processing plants in Botswana and Angola as part of a strategy to reduce reliance on imported inputs and strengthen local supply chains. The initiative, announced on April 10, 2026, targets the continent’s copperbelt region, where demand for processing chemicals remains high amid rising global competition for critical minerals, as reported by Reuters.
The company’s flagship project is a $103 million plant in Botswana, expected to begin operations by mid-2026, supplying copper and cobalt producers in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The facility will produce key inputs such as sodium metabisulphite, sodium hydrosulphide, and flotation agents, with output projected at 57,500 tonnes annually from 2027 and scaling to about 250,000 tonnes by 2032, equivalent to roughly 25 percent of Africa’s demand.
Kemcore executives said the expansion is driven by supply disruptions and price volatility linked to geopolitical risks, particularly dependence on imports from China and the Middle East. Founder Calisto Radithipa noted that sulphur supply disruptions tied to conflicts have already pushed up prices at key ports, while CEO Godfrey Johnson added that the company aims to capture around 25 percent of the continent’s $500 million mining chemicals market.
The move reflects a broader shift toward local value addition in Africa’s mining sector, as governments and private players seek to reduce import dependence and secure critical supply chains. By investing in domestic processing capacity, Kemcore’s strategy positions the continent to retain more value from its mineral resources while enhancing resilience in the global energy transition economy.
