Ethiopia has sealed a historic partnership with Nigeria’s Dangote Group to build a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Thursday. The project, set to rise in Gode town in the country’s southeast, will produce 3 million metric tonnes of fertiliser annually, making it one of Ethiopia’s biggest industrial investments in recent years.
For Abiy’s government, this is more than just a factory — it’s a lifeline to cut down on fertiliser imports and stabilise supplies for millions of farmers who depend heavily on agriculture. With Ethiopia holding a 40% stake and Dangote retaining 60%, the deal also showcases a rare model of cross-African industrial cooperation.
Speaking at the signing, Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote described the project as “a shared vision to industrialise Africa and achieve food security”, stressing that affordable fertiliser will empower farmers across the continent. His words echo his long-time ambition of reducing Africa’s dependence on imports and creating stronger homegrown solutions.
For Ethiopia, the venture is not just about agriculture but about strengthening its economy, attracting investment, and positioning itself as a hub for industrial growth in the Horn of Africa. For Africa at large, it signals a shift — where Africans are building for Africans.
