A consortium of Malawian businessmen has acquired a US$750,000 biodiesel production plant from the United States of America to venture into the production of diesel from jatropha in the country.

Africa Global Village (AGV) website reports that the group, led by Napoleon Dzombe of Dowa is currently still in the United States, comprises directors of General Engineering Company and Grandstone Construction Company Limited who have team up for the venture.

The news-site says the group with the Mayor of Montgomery City in Alabama, Todd Strange, to thank them for the purchase of industrial equipment from the city's businesses.

It quotes Montgomery City's Director of City Development, Chad Emerson, to have revealed that the Malawi consortium is expected to spend up to US$750,000 in the city on technology used to produce biodiesel fuels.

"They're very interested in biodiesel, because in their country diesel costs $10 a gallon. They're very interested in making their own diesel. They're an agricultural nation, so they can grow anything they need to grow to produce it," said Wes Gunn of Landmark Church of Christ, which has missions based in Malawi.

Through Dzombe, the Landmark Church of Christ has built a charitable Blessings Hospital and an orphanage at Lumbadzi in Dowa.

"They had the opportunity to go to cities throughout the country to do this, and they decided to come here and purchase it all here," Emerson said. "It's essentially a trade mission that exists because of their connections with the church."

Amongst the purchase is industrial and heavy equipment to boost farming, storage and transportation, according to AGV.

They have also purchased a18-wheel truck for the venture.