Dangote Launches $2.5bn Fertiliser Plant in Ethiopia to Boost Africa’s Food Security
Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has broken ground on a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia, marking one of the continent’s most ambitious industrial projects. The plant, a joint venture between Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings, is designed to produce three million metric tonnes of urea annually, placing Ethiopia among the top global fertiliser producers.
Located in the South-East region of Ethiopia, the facility will harness natural gas from the Hilal and Calub reserves to drive production. It aims to enhance agricultural productivity, create thousands of jobs, and strengthen food security across the Horn of Africa. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, hailed the project as “a symbol of cooperation, progress, and peace,” adding that it underscores Ethiopia’s growing global relevance and its commitment to sustainable development.
Dangote praised Prime Minister Abiy’s economic liberalisation reforms and infrastructure investments, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, for attracting global investors. “This partnership represents a pivotal step toward industrialising Africa,” Dangote said. “We are committed to bringing our decades of experience to ensure this project becomes a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s industrial transformation.” He also revealed plans to expand into other fertiliser types, such as ammonium nitrate, NPK, and calcium ammonium nitrate, which could make Ethiopia a regional hub for fertiliser production within five years.
This new investment follows Dangote’s successful 2.5 million tonnes per annum cement plant in Mugher, which has operated in Ethiopia for over a decade. With an additional $400 million expansion already underway, Dangote reiterated his long-held vision that “only Africans can truly develop Africa,” citing his company’s role in transforming Nigeria from an importer to a net exporter of cement, fertiliser, and petroleum products.
Regional leaders, including Somali Region President Mustafa Omar, praised Dangote as “the anchor investor Ethiopia has been looking for.” Financial institutions such as Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank, First Bank, and Zenith Bank are backing the project, underscoring confidence in Dangote’s pan-African industrial mission. As Ethiopia positions itself as a new powerhouse in agriculture and manufacturing, the Gode fertiliser plant stands as a milestone for Africa’s drive toward self-sufficiency and economic independence.
source: punch