Dangote Commences Landmark $2.5 Billion Urea Fertiliser Plant in Ethiopia, Ushering a New Era of Industrial Collaboration in Africa.

The Dangote Group has embarked on a groundbreaking venture by launching a $2.5 billion urea fertiliser manufacturing complex in Gode, Ethiopia. This monumental project, a historic joint partnership between an indigenous African private investor and an African government, is poised to produce three million metric tonnes annually, positioning Ethiopia as a regional agricultural powerhouse.

Aliko Dangote, Africa's wealthiest man and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, heralded the project as a pivotal moment in Africa's industrial journey during the ceremony. The venture is a collaboration with Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the government’s strategic investment branch, emphasising shared ambitions to industrialise continents and improve food security.

Strategically located in Gode, with Ethiopia’s rich natural gas reserves from Hilal and Calub nearby, the fertiliser plant is set to harness local resources efficiently. Dangote Group’s extensive industrial experience is expected to make this complex a cornerstone of Ethiopia's industrial transformation, propelling agricultural productivity not only within Ethiopia but across neighbouring countries.

This plant forms just the first phase; Dangote plans to diversify production to include other fertilisers such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, NPK, and calcium ammonium nitrate. These expansions aim to further solidify Ethiopia's position as a fertiliser production hub in Africa and to meet its ambitious target of 80 kg fertilizer use per hectare.

This investment is Dangote Group’s second major industrial commitment in Ethiopia, supplementing their longstanding cement operations through Dangote Cement in Mugher, where a $400 million expansion plan aims to double production capacity. The company’s Africa-wide strategy is driven by a conviction that Africans best understand their continent’s unique challenges and cultural landscape, enabling them to spearhead sustainable economic development.

Ethiopia’s bold economic reforms and liberalisation have cultivated an investment-friendly climate, attracting global capital and bolstering private sector participation. Dangote praised Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his cabinet for their visionary leadership, commending Ethiopia’s growing stature as a regional and continental trade and investment gateway.

Such strategic projects open numerous business opportunities. Suppliers of industrial equipment, energy infrastructure providers, logistics firms, and technical training institutions stand to benefit. Moreover, investors in agribusiness, supply chain management, and associated service sectors can explore collaborations and growth prospects linked to this industrial expansion.

In conclusion, the Dangote urea fertiliser plant exemplifies an unprecedented partnership leveraging African private investment to propel Africa's industrial and agricultural future, placing Ethiopia at the forefront of continental food security and economic transformation.