Lagos, Nigeria – Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced a landmark initiative aimed at ending the continent’s reliance on imported fertilizer within the next 40 months. a move that could dramatically reshape Africa’s agricultural future and economic independence.
Speaking at the AfDB Africa Investment Forum, Dangote revealed that the $2.5 billion Dangote Fertilizer Plant in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos — already one of the largest in the world — will double its production capacity from 3 million to 6 million metric tons per year.
🚜 Why This Matters
Africa, despite its rich soil and agricultural potential, currently imports over 60% of its fertilizer — a critical gap that has held back productivity for decades.
“This expansion will make Africa fully self-sufficient in fertilizer and end the billions of dollars spent on imports annually,” Dangote declared.
He emphasized that the move will not only improve food security, but also strengthen local economies, reduce foreign dependency, and stabilize fertilizer prices across the continent.
🏗️ The Expansion Project
The expansion project includes:
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Building new urea production units
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Boosting ammonia output
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Increasing distribution to West, East, and Southern Africa
The plant currently exports fertilizer to Brazil, the U.S., and India, but Dangote says the new focus will shift towards intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“We need to feed ourselves,” Dangote said. “And we must stop depending on others for what we can produce ourselves.”
🌱 Economic and Environmental Impact
Agricultural experts have praised the move, stating it could catalyze a green revolution on the continent. Fertilizer availability is often cited as one of the key constraints to improving African crop yields.
Economists forecast the project will:
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Create over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs
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Generate billions in export revenue
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Cut Africa’s fertilizer import bill by over $3 billion annually
However, some environmental analysts caution about increased ammonia emissions and urge Dangote Industries to incorporate sustainable technologies into the expansion.