Dangote Begins $2.5bn Fertiliser Project in Ethiopia

In a separate development, the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has broken ground on a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia—marking one of the continent’s largest industrial investments this year.

According to a statement from the Dangote Group, the project, undertaken in partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings, will produce three million metric tonnes of urea annually and leverage the country’s vast natural gas reserves in the Hilal and Calub basins.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the venture as a “symbol of cooperation, industrial progress, and peace,” highlighting Ethiopia’s determination to become a manufacturing and agricultural hub in Africa.

Dangote, in his address, praised Ethiopia’s economic reforms and liberalisation efforts, noting that the project “represents a new chapter in Africa’s drive for self-sufficiency and industrial growth.”

“This partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings marks a pivotal moment in our shared vision to industrialise Africa,” Dangote said. “We are committed to ensuring that this venture becomes a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s transformation and a catalyst for agricultural productivity.”

The industrial complex will later expand into the production of ammonium nitrate, NPK, and calcium ammonium nitrate, positioning Ethiopia as a fertiliser hub for East Africa.

Dangote added that the project builds on the company’s successful ventures across Africa, including the Mugher cement plant in Ethiopia, which has operated for over a decade.

“Our vision has always been clear—Africans must develop Africa. From cement and fertiliser to petroleum refining, our investments are designed to create value across the continent,” he said.

Financial backing for the project will come from a coalition of African lenders, including Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank, First Bank, and Zenith Bank.

Regional leaders, including the President of the Somali Region, Mustafa Omar, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, commended Dangote for his continued role in Africa’s industrial renaissance.

Omar described Dangote as “the anchor investor Ethiopia has long sought,” while Kwairanga noted that the project could further strengthen Nigeria-Ethiopia economic relations.

The fertiliser plant, expected to be completed within four years, will not only boost agricultural output but also enhance regional food security, making Ethiopia a major fertiliser exporter in Africa.