Aliko Dangote has begun constructing a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Ethiopia’s Gode region.
The facility, built with Ethiopian Investment Holdings, will produce three million tonnes of urea yearly.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has commenced the construction of a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia.
According to a statement by the company on Sunday, the project is being developed in partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings and will produce three million metric tonnes of urea annually when completed. It is expected to be one of the world’s largest fertiliser complexes.
Situated in Ethiopia’s South-East region, the plant will harness natural gas from the Hilal and Calub reserves to enhance agricultural output, create thousands of jobs, and strengthen food security across the Horn of Africa.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the initiative as a symbol of partnership and peace. He said it represents Ethiopia’s drive to unlock opportunities, deepen collaboration, and project a stronger global image.
Dangote, while commending the prime minister for reforms that opened key sectors to private investment, said the new facility reflects a shared commitment to industrialise Africa and ensure food self-sufficiency.
“This partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings is a major step in our vision to industrialise Africa,” Dangote said. “We are bringing our years of experience in large-scale projects to make this venture a foundation for Ethiopia’s industrial transformation.”
He revealed that the Gode plant is the first phase of a broader plan to expand into other fertiliser products such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, NPK, and calcium ammonium nitrate. This, he said, would make Ethiopia a regional fertiliser hub.
The business mogul projected that within five years, Ethiopia could become Africa’s leading agricultural powerhouse. He also noted that the company’s cement plant in Mugher, operational for over a decade, is being expanded with an additional $400 million investment.
Dangote highlighted the group’s broader goal of reducing Africa’s dependence on imports through local manufacturing, citing successes in Nigeria’s cement, fertiliser, and petroleum sectors.
“These investments have changed Nigeria’s story,” he said. “We’ve moved from being import-dependent to self-sufficient and are now exporters of key products. We are eager to support other African nations to achieve similar progress.”
He also hinted at plans to establish a polypropylene bagging plant to support Ethiopia’s industrial sector.
Dangote expressed appreciation to financial institutions, including Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank, First Bank, and Zenith Bank, for their roles in financing the project.
The President of Ethiopia’s Somali Region, Mustafa Omar, described Dangote as “the anchor investor Ethiopia has been waiting for,” praising his credibility and the positive impact of his investments.
Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Dr Umaru Kwairanga, commended Ethiopia’s leadership for its economic strides and expressed optimism about stronger trade and investment ties between both nations.
