Africa’s ambition to feed itself took a bold step forward as Ethiopia sealed a landmark partnership with Nigeria’s Dangote Group to establish a massive $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, southeastern Ethiopia.
The project, unveiled by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, is designed to manufacture 3 million metric tons of fertiliser annually, a move expected to reduce the continent’s heavy reliance on imports and strengthen domestic food production.
At the signing ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s state-owned Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) confirmed that it will hold a 40% equity stake, while Dangote Group secures 60% ownership of the venture.
For Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, the deal goes beyond business. He described it as a commitment to industrialising the continent and advancing food security, underscoring his long-standing vision of building self-reliant supply chains for critical resources.
The partnership represents more than bricks, steel, and capital—it marks a decisive move toward transforming Africa from an import-dependent market into a global food powerhouse.