Aliko Dangote Raises Ethiopia Fertiliser Investment to Over $4 Billion

Aliko Dangote is increasing investment in an Ethiopian fertiliser complex to more than $4 billion as the billionaire industrialist expands the Dangote Group’s footprint across Africa’s agriculture and industrial sectors.

Dangote disclosed the expansion plan during a visit to Gode town in Ethiopia’s southeastern Somali region, where the group is developing a major fertiliser production and blending facility aimed at supporting agricultural productivity and regional food security.

The project, which initially focused on a two-million-metric-ton NPK fertiliser blending plant, has now been expanded to include a 110-kilometre natural gas pipeline, a 120-megawatt power plant and a polypropylene packaging facility.

The additional infrastructure is expected to strengthen the operational capacity of the fertiliser complex while reducing dependence on external energy and packaging supply chains.

With the latest expansion, Ethiopia is set to become the second-largest destination for Dangote Group investments after Nigeria, highlighting the company’s growing focus on pan-African industrialisation.

The investment reflects increasing private sector interest in Ethiopia despite ongoing economic and political challenges facing the East African nation.

Industry analysts said the project could significantly improve fertiliser availability across Ethiopia and neighbouring countries while supporting regional agricultural output and reducing import dependence.

The inclusion of dedicated gas and power infrastructure also underscores the high energy demands associated with large-scale industrial production across Africa, where unreliable electricity remains a major operational challenge for manufacturers.

Dangote’s investment comes at a time when several African countries are intensifying efforts to improve local fertiliser production capacity in response to rising global food prices, supply chain disruptions and growing concerns over food security.

The fertiliser complex is expected to create jobs, stimulate economic activity in Ethiopia’s Somali region and support broader industrial development within the country.

Analysts also noted that the project aligns with Dangote Group’s wider strategy of building integrated industrial operations capable of supporting long-term economic growth across the continent.

The Dangote Group already maintains major investments in cement, fertiliser, oil refining, petrochemicals and agriculture across several African countries.

The Ethiopian fertiliser project further strengthens the group’s position as one of Africa’s largest private-sector investors in industrial infrastructure and manufacturing.