Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, received a hero’s welcome in Gode, Ethiopia, on a visit tied to his conglomerate’s fertiliser plant project in the East African country.
He was hosted by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and both men visited the construction site of the proposed facility on Sunday.
Ethiopia signed a shareholders’ agreement with Dangote Group in August last year for the establishment of a urea plant with an annual production capacity of three million metric tonnes.
Construction was officially launched in October 2025. The joint venture is structured with Dangote holding 60 per cent and Ethiopian Investment Holdings, 40 per cent.
Dangote announced an increase in the project’s total investment from $2.5 billion to over $4 billion.
A statement by the Dangote Group read, “Dangote announced an increase in investment from $2.5 billion to over $4 billion, reflecting expanded scope, including a 110km pipeline, a 120MW power plant, a polypropylene packaging facility, and a two-million-tonne NPK blending plant.”
Abiy, who accompanied Dangote on the site visit, described the project as central to Ethiopia’s development agenda.
The Ethiopian prime minister said in a statement, “This initiative represents far more than infrastructure. It is a strategic investment in Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation, food security, industrial growth, and economic self-reliance.”
He said the plant would deliver broad national benefits upon completion.
“Once completed, the fertiliser plant will play a vital role in strengthening local production capacity, reducing dependence on imports, supporting millions of farmers, and creating new opportunities for jobs and investment,” he said.
Abiy said he was encouraged by what he observed on the ground.
“This morning, together with Aliko Dangote, I visited the project site in Gode to assess the progress achieved so far. I am encouraged by the steady momentum across the project area.
“Construction activities are advancing as planned across multiple sections of the site, reflecting the strong commitment and collaboration driving this important national project forward,” he stated.
The Dangote Group statement added, “The project reinforces Dangote Group’s commitment to industrial development across Africa.”
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