Dangote Industries Limited Deepens Investment Drive in Niger State With Rice, Trade Initiatives

Dangote Industries Limited is expanding its economic footprint in Niger State through new agricultural partnerships, industrial projects and trade-related investments aimed at boosting food production, employment and private sector growth.

The conglomerate said its collaboration with the Niger State Government forms part of broader efforts to strengthen industrialisation and unlock economic opportunities across the state.

As part of the initiative, Dangote Rice Limited has entered into a long-term partnership arrangement with the state to support large-scale rice production and supply over the next decade.

Under the agreement, the company is expected to secure substantial volumes of locally produced paddy rice from Niger Foods as part of efforts to improve domestic food sufficiency and reduce pressure on imported agricultural products.

Officials involved in the project said the initiative would require the development of thousands of hectares of commercial rice farmland while creating significant direct employment opportunities within the agricultural value chain.

The group also confirmed that construction work on its rice processing facility in Wushishi is progressing steadily ahead of completion.

The rice mill project, situated on a large industrial site in the state, is expected to increase local rice processing capacity, strengthen agricultural productivity and support Nigeria’s broader food security agenda.

Industry stakeholders said the investment could stimulate economic activity across farming communities while supporting logistics, storage, transportation and agro-processing businesses linked to rice production.

Beyond agriculture, several subsidiaries within the Dangote Group are participating in the ongoing Niger Trade Fair as part of efforts to strengthen business engagement and showcase investment opportunities.

The participating business units include operations in cement, fertiliser, sugar and consumer goods production, reflecting the group’s diversified investment interests across Nigeria’s economy.

Company representatives said the trade fair also provides an opportunity to engage investors and business stakeholders on the group’s broader expansion plans, including developments linked to the refinery business and long-term industrial growth targets.

The annual trade event is expected to attract hundreds of exhibitors, investors and policymakers from across the country with discussions focused on public-private partnerships and economic development.

Business leaders at the event described indigenous investment as critical to accelerating Nigeria’s industrial growth, job creation and long-term economic stability.

Analysts noted that Dangote Group’s continued investments in agriculture and manufacturing align with increasing efforts to strengthen local production, reduce import dependence and expand value-added industries within Nigeria.