Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the government’s strategic investment vehicle, has partnered with Nigeria’s Dangote Group to establish a large-scale urea fertilizer plant in Gode, Ethiopia. The partnership agreement grants Dangote Group a 60% stake, while EIH will hold 40%, marking one of Ethiopia’s largest industrial ventures to date.
The planned Gode facility will have the capacity to produce three million metric tons of urea per year, placing it among the world’s largest single-site fertilizer plants. The project will feature a natural gas pipeline from the Calub and Hilala fields to supply the plant and includes potential expansions to produce other ammonia-based fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and calcium ammonium nitrate. This positions Ethiopia to become a major fertilizer supplier in the region.
Estimated at $2.5 billion, the project is expected to be completed within 40 months. Beyond boosting local fertilizer production and reducing import dependence, it will generate thousands of jobs and strengthen Ethiopia’s food security.
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, described the venture as a landmark step for industrial growth in Africa. “Gode’s strategic location and Ethiopia’s natural gas resources make it ideal for this project, which will support agriculture and industrial development across the continent,” he said.
Dr. Brook Taye, CEO of EIH, highlighted the project’s significance for Ethiopia’s economy. “This partnership advances industrial self-sufficiency and modern agriculture, ensuring affordable fertilizer for farmers while generating lasting economic benefits,” he said.
The Gode plant is expected to improve crop yields and farmer incomes by providing consistent access to quality fertilizers. The collaboration leverages Dangote’s industrial experience with EIH’s understanding of local markets and regulations, while also supplying neighboring countries, enhancing agricultural productivity in East Africa.
About the Partners
Ethiopian Investment Holdings, founded in 2021, oversees around 40 state-owned enterprises, including Ethiopian Airlines, Ethio Telecom, and the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. Its mission is to optimize state assets and foster Ethiopia’s role in global investment markets.
Dangote Group, Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate, operates in sectors such as cement, fertilizer, and petrochemicals, focusing on large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects across the continent.
