By Atoyebi Nike
The President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has led the groundbreaking of a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia. The project, in partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings, will produce three million metric tonnes of urea annually, making it one of the world’s largest fertiliser complexes.
Located in Ethiopia’s south-east, the plant will use natural gas from the Hilal and Calub reserves to boost agriculture, create jobs, and strengthen food security across the Horn of Africa.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the project as a symbol of “shared responsibility, cooperation, and peace,” reflecting Ethiopia’s drive to harness opportunities and elevate its global profile.
Dangote praised Ethiopia’s economic reforms and infrastructure investments, noting that the partnership marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s industrialisation push. He revealed plans to expand into other fertiliser products to position Ethiopia as a regional hub and predicted the country could become Africa’s leading agricultural nation within five years.
“This project marks the first time a private African investor is partnering with an African country to build such an industrial complex. We believe only Africans can truly transform Africa,” Dangote said.
The Dangote Group already operates a cement plant in Mugher and is committing an additional $400 million to expand capacity. Financial backing for the new project comes from Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, and several Nigerian banks.
Regional and business leaders hailed Dangote as a trusted investor and praised the project as a milestone for Africa’s economic integration.
