Field notes: Dangote Fertiliser Plant
Africa's largest urea fertiliser plant — boosting food security across the continent.
By SabiVerse editorial6 Sept 20261 min read
The Dangote Fertiliser Plant is a $2.5 billion granulated urea production facility located adjacent to the Dangote Refinery in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos. With an installed capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA), it is the largest urea fertiliser plant in Africa and one of the largest globally. The plant converts natural gas into ammonia and then urea, using Haldor Topsoe and Saipem technology. Since commencing production in 2022, it has transformed Nigeria from a fertiliser importer into a net exporter, shipping to markets across Africa, India, and Latin America.
Africa's largest urea fertiliser plant — boosting food security across the continent.
What the project is trying to do
- 1Produce 3 million metric tonnes of urea fertiliser per year to supply domestic and export markets
- 2Reduce Nigeria's dependence on imported fertiliser and save foreign exchange reserves
- 3Boost agricultural productivity across West Africa by ensuring affordable fertiliser supply
- 4Create over 5,000 direct jobs and 25,000 indirect jobs in manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture
- 5Generate significant export revenue by shipping urea to Brazil, India, Mexico, and other African countries
- 6Monetise Nigeria's abundant natural gas reserves through value-added industrial production
What it means for people nearby
The Dangote Fertiliser Plant has turned Nigeria into Africa's largest fertiliser producer and a net exporter, saving the country over $500 million annually in import costs. It supplies affordable urea to farmers across West Africa, directly supporting food security for over 200 million people. The plant has created approximately 30,000 direct and indirect jobs and generates significant export revenue from shipments to over 20 countries.
Where it stands
2025: Pan-African Distribution Expansion. Expansion of distribution networks across 15 African countries through partnerships with national agricultural agencies and private distributors. Current status: Ongoing.
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