The President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has officially launched the construction of a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia.

According to a statement by the company on Sunday, the large-scale project is a partnership between Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings. With an annual production capacity of three million metric tonnes of urea, the facility is projected to become one of the largest fertiliser complexes in the world.

Situated in Ethiopia’s South-East region, the plant will utilise the country’s abundant natural gas resources from the Hilal and Calub fields. The project aims to boost agricultural productivity, create employment opportunities, and strengthen food security across the Horn of Africa.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the project as a milestone that represents not only industrial growth but also cooperation and peace.

He noted that the initiative underscores Ethiopia’s resolve to harness its resources for national progress and global recognition.
“These projects reflect our collective responsibility to seize opportunities, deepen collaboration, and promote peace,” he said. “By working together, we elevate Ethiopia’s position on the global stage in a way that celebrates our national identity.”

In his remarks, Aliko Dangote commended Prime Minister Abiy and his administration for implementing reforms and promoting economic liberalisation that have opened key sectors to private investors, making Ethiopia one of Africa’s most attractive destinations for global capital.

He applauded the government’s massive infrastructure investments—particularly in transport, energy, and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam—which he said provide a solid foundation for the nation’s industrialisation.

“This collaboration with Ethiopian Investment Holdings marks a crucial step toward our shared goal of industrialising Africa and ensuring food security across the continent,” Dangote stated. “With our extensive experience in executing large-scale industrial projects, we are confident this venture will become a major driver of Ethiopia’s industrial transformation.”

Dangote further disclosed that the Gode fertiliser project is only the beginning, with plans already underway to diversify into other fertiliser types, including ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, NPK, and calcium ammonium nitrate. He said this expansion would position Ethiopia as a regional hub for fertiliser production and predicted that within five years, the country could emerge as Africa’s leading agricultural nation.

He noted that this investment is Dangote Group’s second major project in Ethiopia, following its 2.5 million tonnes-per-annum cement plant in Mugher, which has operated for over a decade. The company has also committed an additional $400 million to double the plant’s capacity.

Across Africa, Dangote said, the group’s industrial strategy is driven by the belief that Africans must take the lead in developing the continent, with a focus on manufacturing to reduce reliance on imports.

He highlighted the company’s role in transforming Nigeria into a net exporter of petroleum products, cement, and fertiliser through its refinery and industrial operations, noting that the group’s fertiliser plant in Nigeria will soon become the largest in the world, with a capacity of nine million metric tonnes annually.

“These investments have changed Nigeria’s story—we have moved from being import-dependent to self-sufficient and even export-driven in cement, fertiliser, and petroleum products,” he said. “We are eager to collaborate with more African nations to realise their industrialisation goals. The Gode project represents a new dawn for Africa, marking the first time a private African investor is partnering with an African government to build such a large-scale industrial complex.”

Dangote also revealed plans to establish a polypropylene bagging plant to support local manufacturing in Ethiopia and appreciated financial partners such as Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank, and other indigenous institutions for their commitment to the project.

President of the Somali Region, Mustafa Omar, described Dangote as “the anchor investor Ethiopia has been searching for,” lauding him as a trusted and respected business leader across the continent.

Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, also praised Ethiopia’s leadership for its economic progress and expressed optimism that the initiative would strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and Ethiopia.