The President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has led the groundbreaking of a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia.
A statement by the Dangote Group on Sunday said the project, a partnership between the Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings, with a production capacity of three million metric tonnes of urea annually, is expected to become one of the world’s largest fertiliser complexes.
Located in Ethiopia’s South-East region, it is expected to leverage the country’s abundant natural gas resources from the Hilal and Calub reserves to boost agricultural productivity, create jobs, and enhance food security across the Horn of Africa.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister (PM) Abiy Ahmed was said to have described the fertiliser project as more than just industrial progress, stressing that it symbolises shared responsibility, cooperation, and peace.
Abiy said the project reflects Ethiopia’s commitment to harnessing opportunities and elevating its presence on the global stage.
‘They embody our shared responsibility to harness opportunities, strengthen cooperation, and promote peace. Hence, I call upon all Ethiopians to continue mobilising in unity for progress.
‘By doing so, we elevate Ethiopia’s presence on the global stage in a way that honours the true spirit of our Ethiopian identity’, the PM said.
Dangote commended the Ethiopian prime minister and his cabinet for reforms and economic liberalisation that have opened key sectors to private investments and positioned Ethiopia as one of Africa’s most attractive destinations for global investors.
He lauded the government’s investment in infrastructure, including transport, energy, and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which he described as a foundation for the country’s industrialisation.
‘This partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings represents a pivotal moment in our shared vision to industrialise Africa and achieve food security across the continent.
‘We are committed to bringing our decades of experience in large-scale industrial projects to ensure this venture becomes a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s industrial transformation’, Dangote said.
He disclosed that the Gode project marks the beginning, with plans to expand into the production of other fertilisers such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, NPK, and calcium ammonium nitrate, positioning Ethiopia as a regional hub for fertiliser production.
He predicted that within five years, Ethiopia could become Africa’s leading agricultural nation.
‘This investment is Dangote Group’s second major project in Ethiopia. Its cement subsidiary has operated a 2.5 Mtpa plant in Mugher for more than a decade, with an additional $400 million committed to doubling its capacity.
‘Across Africa, the group’s strategy is guided by the belief that only Africans can develop Africa, with a focus on manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports’, the statement said.
Dangote stressed the group’s role in transforming Nigeria into a net exporter of petroleum products, cement, and fertiliser through its refinery, cement plants, and fertiliser expansion, ‘which is set to become the largest in the world at nine million metric tonnes per annum’.
‘These investments have already changed Nigeria’s story. We’ve moved from being import-dependent to becoming self-sufficient and even exporters of cement, fertiliser, and petroleum products. We are ready and happy to work with more African countries to drive their industrialisation plans and aspirations.
‘The Gode project is a new dawn. This project marks the first time a private African investor is partnering with an African country to build such an industrial complex. We understand Africa, its challenges, its opportunities, and its potential. And we believe only Africans can truly transform Africa’, he said.
He hinted at the establishment of a polypropylene bagging plant to boost the industry in Ethiopia.
Dangote commended financial institutions, including Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank, and other indigenous banks, for supporting the project.
Meanwhile, the President of the Somali Region, Mustafa Omar, reportedly described Dangote as ‘the anchor investor Ethiopia has been looking for’.
He noted that Dangote is not only a trusted investor but also one who is highly appreciated by both Ethiopians and Africans at large.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Dr Umaru Kwairanga, praised Ethiopia’s leadership for its economic strides and voiced optimism about stronger economic relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
