On Aug 28, Ethiopia signed a $2.5B deal with Dangote to build a fertiliser plant producing 3M tons yearly, boosting food security.
On August 28, Ethiopia signed a $2.5 billion agreement with Dangote Group of Nigeria to build a large-scale fertiliser manufacturing facility in the eastern city of Gode, underscoring Africa’s push for agricultural self-reliance.
The new plant will have a targeted annual output of 3 million metric tons, making it one of the largest fertiliser projects in East Africa. The investment comes as the continent seeks to reduce reliance on imported fertilisers amid rising global commodity prices and supply disruptions.
Under the deal, Ethiopia Investment Holdings will own 40% of the venture, while Dangote Group will hold the remaining 60%. Officials said the project will generate thousands of jobs and support Ethiopia’s long-term food security and industrialisation strategy.
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and chairman of the group, this May also bought Kenya’s oldest and most iconic tour operator in a deal worth $30 million. While investing in the fertiliser project he said the investment reflects confidence in Ethiopia’s growth prospects and highlights Africa’s potential to harness its own resources for economic transformation.
Analysts view the deal as a milestone for Ethiopia’s economy and Africa’s broader agribusiness ambitions, calling it a “game-changer” in the region’s quest for fertiliser independence.