L-R: President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, being welcome by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed to Gode, in Ethiopia’s Somali region, during an inspection of the fertiliser plant under construction in Gode, Ethiopia, over the weekend.
By Peace Udugba
President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening food security across Africa through large-scale fertiliser investments, declaring that the continent possesses the capacity to feed itself and become a net exporter of agricultural products.
Dangote made the remarks while addressing journalists in Gode, located in Ethiopia’s Somali region, during a visit hosted by Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed. The Prime Minister personally received the business mogul and accompanied him on an inspection tour of the proposed fertiliser plant currently under construction in the area.
Speaking on the importance of fertiliser to agricultural productivity, Dangote said Africa’s persistent food insecurity is largely linked to limited access to essential agricultural inputs.
According to him, the continent holds enormous agricultural potential but continues to struggle with low productivity due to inadequate fertiliser supply.
He stated that the Dangote Group’s investments are aimed at reversing the trend by increasing productivity, empowering farmers, and creating a sustainable pathway toward food self-sufficiency across the continent.
Dangote expressed confidence that Africa can not only feed its population but also export agricultural produce to other parts of the world if adequate investments are made in fertiliser production and agricultural infrastructure.
The businessman also announced a significant increase in the Group’s investments in Ethiopia, which have now risen from $2.5 billion to over $4 billion.
He explained that the expanded investment scope includes the construction of a 110-kilometre pipeline, a 120-megawatt power plant, a polypropylene packaging facility, and a two-million-tonne NPK blending plant, among other infrastructure projects.
Describing Ethiopia as a strategic destination for the Group’s long-term expansion plans, Dangote disclosed that the country has become the second-largest recipient of Dangote Group investments in Africa, accounting for nearly nine per cent of the company’s continental investment projection between now and 2030.
Dangote also praised Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his leadership and commitment to economic transformation, noting that such progress requires strong collaboration between governments and the private sector.
He said the Dangote Group was proud to partner with Ethiopia in efforts to build one of Africa’s most dynamic economies over the next decade.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described Dangote as a trusted partner and commended the pace of work on the fertiliser project, which he said aligns with Ethiopia’s national development agenda.
The Prime Minister noted that the fertiliser plant would boost local production, reduce dependence on imports, and provide critical support to millions of Ethiopian farmers.
He added that the project would also generate employment opportunities, strengthen the industrial value chain, and reinforce Ethiopia’s position as a growing agro-industrial hub in Africa.
According to him, the investment demonstrates the impact of strong collaboration between the government and private sector in accelerating economic growth, attracting further investments, and improving the livelihoods of citizens.
The Dangote fertiliser initiative is widely regarded as a major step toward transforming Africa’s agricultural sector by improving productivity, reducing import dependence, and promoting inclusive economic growth across the continent.
