Dangote Fertiliser Plant
Africa's largest urea fertiliser plant — boosting food security across the continent.
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.
- 01Produce 3 million metric tonnes of urea fertiliser per year to supply domestic and export markets
- 02Reduce Nigeria's dependence on imported fertiliser and save foreign exchange reserves
- 03Boost agricultural productivity across West Africa by ensuring affordable fertiliser supply
- 04Create over 5,000 direct jobs and 25,000 indirect jobs in manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture
- 05Generate significant export revenue by shipping urea to Brazil, India, Mexico, and other African countries
- 06Monetise Nigeria's abundant natural gas reserves through value-added industrial production
2016 · completed
Construction Commencement
Full-scale construction begins at the Lekki Free Trade Zone site with Saipem as the main EPC contractor. Over 10,000 workers deployed during peak construction.
2020 · completed
Mechanical Completion
Main process units including ammonia and urea trains reach mechanical completion. Pre-commissioning activities begin despite COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.
2021 · completed
First Ammonia Production
The ammonia synthesis train produces its first output, marking a critical milestone. Ammonia is the key intermediate feedstock for urea production.
2022 · completed
Commercial Urea Production Begins
The plant achieves commercial production of granulated urea and begins domestic sales. First export cargoes dispatched to international buyers in Brazil and India.
2023 · completed
Full Capacity Operations
Plant reaches nameplate capacity of 3 million MTPA. Nigeria records first-ever trade surplus in fertiliser. Over 1 million tonnes exported in the first full year of operation.
2025 · in progress
Pan-African Distribution Expansion
Expansion of distribution networks across 15 African countries through partnerships with national agricultural agencies and private distributors.
Raw Material
Natural Gas Feedstock
Approximately 70 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas consumed as feedstock, sourced from Nigerian gas producers via dedicated pipeline.
Processing Equipment
Ammonia Synthesis Unit
Single-train ammonia plant producing approximately 4,000 tonnes per day of anhydrous ammonia as intermediate feedstock for urea production.
Processing Equipment
Urea Granulation Plant
Converts liquid urea into granulated form suitable for agricultural application and long-distance transport. Output capacity of 3 million MTPA.
Infrastructure
Deep-Sea Port Access
Direct access to the Lekki Deep Sea Port for bulk export of urea via dedicated jetty facilities, enabling efficient loading of Panamax vessels.
Distribution
Bagging and Logistics Facility
Automated 50 kg bagging lines with total capacity of 3,000 tonnes per day. On-site warehousing for 100,000 tonnes of finished product.
- Haldor Topsoe SynCOR ammonia synthesis technology for high-efficiency gas-to-ammonia conversion
- Saipem urea granulation technology producing premium-grade granulated urea for global markets
- Snamprogetti urea synthesis process with high energy efficiency and low emissions profile
- Dedicated natural gas pipeline infrastructure for feedstock supply from Nigerian gas fields
- Automated bagging and palletising systems with 3,000 MTPD capacity for rapid product dispatch
- On-site effluent treatment and emissions control systems meeting World Bank environmental standards
What it means for the community
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.
- Dangote Industries Limited