LAGOS, June 15 – Africa Finance Corporation has approved a $600 million financing facility for Dangote Group to support a major fertiliser expansion programme that will significantly increase production capacity in Nigeria and establish a new manufacturing platform in Ethiopia.
According to AFC, the financing will be provided to Greenview Fertilizer Corp., Dangote Group’s fertiliser holding company, as part of a broader investment programme valued at approximately $7 billion.
The expansion is expected to increase urea production capacity in Nigeria from 3 million metric tons to 9 million metric tons annually while adding a further 3 million metric tons of production capacity in Ethiopia.
Once completed, the projects will position the Dangote Group among the largest fertiliser producers globally and further strengthen Africa’s domestic fertiliser manufacturing capacity.
The investment comes at a time when many African countries remain heavily dependent on imported fertilisers, exposing agricultural sectors to global supply chain disruptions, commodity price volatility and geopolitical shocks.
Recent disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict and supply constraints in global fertiliser markets have reinforced concerns about Africa’s dependence on imported agricultural inputs.
AFC President and Chief Executive Officer Samaila Zubairu said the investment aligns with the institution’s objective of strengthening Africa’s industrial and agricultural self-sufficiency.
“By supporting the development of the world’s largest fertiliser platform, AFC is helping build the foundation for Africa to feed itself, create productive jobs and strengthen our economic sovereignty,” Zubairu said.
The Lagos-based infrastructure financier has been a long-standing partner of the Dangote Group and previously played a key role in coordinating a $3 billion syndicated financing package for the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest refinery.
In a statement, Dangote Industries said the fertiliser expansion represents a significant step toward improving agricultural productivity and food security across the continent.
The company noted that the investment will help reduce dependence on imported fertilisers, support farmers, strengthen agricultural resilience and create long-term economic opportunities.
“At a time when population growth, climate pressures and global supply chain disruptions continue to challenge food systems worldwide, Africa must build the industrial capacity required to support its own development,” the company said.
Dangote added that the project extends beyond fertiliser manufacturing and forms part of a broader strategy to support sustainable agricultural growth, economic development and greater self-sufficiency across Africa.
The planned investments in Nigeria and Ethiopia are expected to create thousands of jobs, support regional agricultural value chains and enhance the continent’s ability to meet growing food demand.
The project also reflects increasing efforts by African institutions and private-sector investors to build strategic industrial capacity within the continent rather than relying on imported products and external supply chains.
