Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, has launched the construction of a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia, a landmark project expected to transform food security, job creation, and industrialisation across the continent.
The facility, developed in partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings, will produce three million metric tonnes of urea annually, positioning it among the largest fertiliser complexes in the world.
Located in Ethiopia’s South-East, the plant will rely on natural gas from the Hilal and Calub reserves to power production, significantly boosting agricultural productivity and generating thousands of new jobs.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the project as a reflection of unity and shared progress. “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,” Abiy said.
Dangote, who has invested extensively across Africa, praised Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms, including major developments in transport, energy, and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, noting that the project represents a turning point in Africa’s industrial advancement.
“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,” he said.
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As per Business Insider Africa, he further revealed that the Gode complex marks just the beginning, with plans underway to expand production into ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, NPK, and calcium ammonium nitrate. Dangote predicted that “within five years, Ethiopia could become Africa’s leading agricultural nation.”
This is Dangote’s second major investment in Ethiopia. His cement subsidiary has operated a 2.5 million tonne-per-annum plant in Mugher for over a decade, and an additional $400 million investment has been set aside to double its capacity.
Highlighting the broader vision, Dangote described the Gode initiative as a defining moment for African-led industrialisation. “The Gode project is a new dawn. This 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.
Regional leaders and financiers echoed this optimism. Somali Region President Mustafa Omar called Dangote “the anchor investor Ethiopia has been looking for,” while Nigerian Exchange Group Chairman Dr. Umaru Kwairanga commended Ethiopia’s leadership and expressed confidence in deeper Nigeria-Ethiopia relations.
Dangote also extended gratitude to financial partners, including Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank, First Bank, and Zenith Bank, for supporting the ambitious project.
With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, fertiliser production has become increasingly vital for food security.
By establishing Ethiopia as a fertiliser hub for the Horn of Africa, the Dangote Group is not only investing in one nation’s future but also laying the groundwork for agricultural self-reliance across the continent.
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Image Credit: Sputnik
