The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $75 million financing package to support Nyanza Light Metals in establishing a large-scale titanium dioxide pigment manufacturing plant in South Africa. This strategic investment marks a major step toward industrializing Africa’s mineral wealth and reducing the continent’s reliance on imported raw materials. The plant, set to be built in Richards Bay within the KwaZulu-Natal province, will have the capacity to produce 80,000 tonnes of titanium dioxide annually, a critical compound used in paints, coatings, plastics, cosmetics, food processing, and medical applications. Despite Africa’s abundant titanium reserves, the region has historically lacked the infrastructure to process these resources locally, making this project a transformative leap toward value-added manufacturing.
The financing includes $25 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF), a co-financing initiative between the AfDB and the People’s Bank of China. Located within the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ), the plant is expected to stimulate regional economic growth, attract further investment, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. By producing titanium dioxide domestically, Nyanza Light Metals aims to substitute imports, strengthen local supply chains, and position South Africa as a competitive player in the global pigment market. The project also supports South Africa’s broader goals of industrial diversification, sustainable development, and inclusive economic empowerment.
Led by South African entrepreneur Donovan Chimhandamba, Nyanza Light Metals envisions integrating Africa into the global titanium value chain by leveraging local resources and advanced technology. The company’s mission is to produce high-quality pigments that meet international standards while fostering innovation and economic resilience across the continent. The AfDB’s backing reflects strong confidence in the project's potential to reshape Africa’s industrial landscape and promote long-term growth. It also highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in unlocking the continent’s manufacturing capabilities and reducing dependency on external supply chains.
This investment aligns with the AfDB’s commitment to infrastructure development, private sector support, and regional integration. It underscores the bank’s role in catalyzing transformative projects that drive industrialization and create sustainable opportunities for African economies. As construction progresses, the Nyanza titanium dioxide plant is poised to become a cornerstone of Africa’s mineral beneficiation strategy and a model for future industrial ventures that harness the continent’s vast natural resources for domestic and global benefit.