President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has led the groundbreaking of a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia, a major investment expected to become one of the world’s largest fertiliser complexes.
In a statement, Dangote Group said the project is a partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) and will produce three million metric tonnes of urea annually. Strategically located in Ethiopia’s South-East region, the plant will utilise natural gas from the Hilala and Calub reserves to enhance agricultural productivity, create jobs, and boost food security across the Horn of Africa.
Speaking at the groundbreaking, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the project signifies more than industrial progress. “It symbolises shared responsibility, cooperation, and peace,” he said, calling on Ethiopians to continue uniting for national progress.
Dangote praised Prime Minister Abiy and his cabinet for implementing reforms and liberalising key sectors, making Ethiopia one of Africa’s most attractive destinations for private investment. He also commended the government’s investments in infrastructure, including transport, energy, and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, as critical enablers of industrialisation.
“This partnership with EIH represents a pivotal step in our shared vision to industrialise Africa and ensure food security across the continent,” Dangote said. “We are bringing decades of experience in large-scale industrial projects to support Ethiopia’s transformation.”
He revealed that the Gode plant is just the beginning, with future plans to expand into the production of other fertiliser types including ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, NPK, and calcium ammonium nitrate. The goal, he said, is to position Ethiopia as a regional fertiliser hub.
“With this pace, Ethiopia could become Africa’s leading agricultural nation within five years,” he added.
This marks Dangote Group’s second major project in Ethiopia. Its cement subsidiary has operated a 2.5Mta plant in Mugher for over a decade, with an additional $400 million earmarked to double capacity.
Across Africa, Dangote reaffirmed the Group’s belief that “only Africans can develop Africa.” He cited the Group’s role in transforming Nigeria from an import-dependent nation to a net exporter of cement, fertiliser, and petroleum products.
“These investments have changed Nigeria’s story,” Dangote said. “We are now self-sufficient and even exporting key products. Our mission is to replicate this success across the continent.”
He described the Gode project as a “new dawn” — the first time a private African investor is partnering with an African nation to build an industrial complex of this scale. He also hinted at plans to establish a polypropylene bagging plant in Ethiopia.
Dangote thanked financial partners including Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank, and other local banks for supporting the project.
President of Ethiopia’s Somali Region, Mustafa Omar, hailed Dangote as the “anchor investor Ethiopia has been waiting for,” while Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, praised Ethiopia’s leadership and expressed optimism about deeper economic ties between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
Kwairanga described the fertiliser plant as a “gigantic project befitting of Aliko Dangote’s vision and execution capacity,” noting his continued commitment to Africa’s industrial transformation.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by top Ethiopian officials, business leaders, and financiers.
