A new chapter in Africa’s industrial story opened Thursday as the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, led a ground-breaking of a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia.
The project, a partnership between Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), with a production capacity of three million metric tonnes of urea annually, is expected to become one of the world’s largest fertiliser complexes.
Strategically located in Ethiopia’s South-east region, it will leverage the country’s abundant natural gas resources from the Hilal and Calub reserves to boost agricultural productivity, create jobs, and enhance food security across the Horn of Africa.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the fertiliser project as “more than just industrial progress,” stressing that it “symbolises shared responsibility, cooperation, and peace.”
“They embody our shared responsibility to harness opportunities, strengthen cooperation, and promote peace. Hence, I call upon all Ethiopians to continue mobilizing in unity for progress.
“By doing so, we elevate Ethiopia’s presence on the global stage in a way that honors the true spirit of our Ethiopian identity,” Ahmed said.
In his remarks, Dangote commended the Ethiopian Prime Minister and his cabinet for the reforms and economic liberalisation that had opened key sectors to private investments and positioned Ethiopia as one of Africa’s most attractive destinations for global investors.
He lauded the government’s investment in infrastructure, including transport, energy, and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which he described as a foundation for the country’s industrialisation.
“This partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings represents a pivotal moment in our shared vision to industrialise Africa and achieve food security across the continent,” Dangote said. “We are committed to bringing our decades of experience in large-scale industrial projects to ensure this venture becomes a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s industrial transformation,” he said.
Dangote expressed gratitude to financial institutions, including Afreximbank, Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank, and other indigenous banks for supporting the project.
