Lesotho's first fully integrated, certified broiler platform comprising parent stock and hatchery operations producing 10.5 million day-old chicks annually, a 36,000-tonne feed mill, biosecure grow-out farms producing 10 million broilers annually, an accredited processing plant and cold-chain distribution network. The project will produce approximately 21,500 tonnes of chicken products and 13,500 tonnes of organic fertiliser annually. Approximately 90% of chicken sold through formal retail channels is currently imported, representing around 24,000 tonnes annually.
Project overview
Investment opportunity
Protected, demand-led import-replacement opportunity backed by the national development corporation. Total capitalisation is estimated at US$94.3 million, including approximately US$81.5 million in productive assets. The project targets 10 million broilers annually and is projected to generate annual revenues of approximately US$57 million at full capacity. Strategic partners have an opportunity to participate through equity investment, operational expertise and market development.
Investment types sought
Project status
Development stage
Structuring & preparation
Current status / progress to date
A poultry value-chain feasibility study has been completed and investor materials prepared. A proposed partnership structure has been developed, with strategic investor participation being sought. Final site selection and detailed engineering cost estimates remain in progress. The project is advancing investor engagement, due diligence and commercial discussions to support implementation.
Additional project information
- Lead agency
- Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC)
Expected impact
Jobs created / supported
The project is expected to create approximately 887 direct jobs at full operating capacity and support an estimated 1,500-2,000 indirect jobs across farming, grain supply, processing, logistics and distribution networks.
Economic & development benefits
- Replace imported poultry products, reducing reliance on imports and retaining value, jobs and foreign exchange within Lesotho
- Establish integrated breeding, hatchery, feed production and certified processing capacity
- Create employment opportunities across poultry production, processing, logistics and distribution
- Expand access to formal retail markets and potential export opportunities within SACU, AGOA and EU markets
- Increase the availability of affordable animal protein for domestic consumers
Climate & resilience benefits
- Convert poultry litter into organic fertiliser, supporting nutrient recycling and reducing reliance on synthetic fertiliser inputs
- Strengthen local food-system resilience through integrated poultry production, feed manufacturing and processing capacity
- Reduce transport requirements associated with imported poultry products and cross-border cold-chain logistics
- Improve the resilience and reliability of domestic protein supply through biosecure production systems and long-term feed sourcing arrangements
Contact
Contact team
For more information about this project, please contact the Commonwealth Investment Platform team.