Ethiopia has taken a major step towards becoming a regional hub for fertilizer production with the launch of a $2.5 billion plant in Gode, southeastern Ethiopia, by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote.
The project, in partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings, is set to be one of the largest fertilizer complexes in the world and reflects Dangote Group’s ambition to industrialize Africa and reduce dependence on imported agricultural inputs.
The new facility will have an annual production capacity of three million tons of urea, fueled by natural gas from the Hilal and Calub reserves. It is expected to significantly boost agricultural productivity, enhance food security in the Horn of Africa, and create thousands of jobs for local communities.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Aliko Dangote praised the economic reforms implemented by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government, describing the project as “a turning point in the shared vision of industrializing Africa.”
He indicated that the plant’s production line would gradually expand to include ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, NPK, and calcium ammonium nitrate, further strengthening Ethiopia’s position in the regional fertilizer market.
Dangote also highlighted the company’s longstanding presence in Ethiopia, noting that its cement subsidiary has operated a 2.5 million tonne plant in Mugher for over a decade, with an additional $400 million investment planned to double its capacity.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who attended the ceremony, emphasised the strategic importance of the investment, describing it as “a project symbolizing shared responsibility, cooperation and peace.”
He added that partnerships like this would help Ethiopia assert a stronger presence on the global stage while driving industrial and agricultural development domestically.
The Gode fertilizer plant represents a landmark investment for Ethiopia and the African continent, combining large-scale industrial capacity with ambitions to foster regional self-sufficiency in agriculture.
Observers say the project could serve as a model for future industrial ventures aimed at boosting local production, reducing imports, and promoting economic growth across Africa.
By linking strategic resources, government support, and private-sector expertise, the Dangote Group’s initiative signals a new era in African industrialization and agricultural modernization.
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