Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and founder of the Dangote Group, has announced plans for his company to become the largest fertilizer producer in the world within the next three years. The declaration marks one of the boldest industrial ambitions from the Nigerian billionaire, whose investments continue to reshape Africa’s manufacturing landscape.
Speaking during a recent industry briefing, Dangote said the company is rapidly expanding capacity at the Dangote Fertilizer Plant, already one of the biggest urea-producing facilities globally. The plant, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, currently produces around 3 million metric tonnes of urea annually, supplying markets across Africa, South America, Europe and Asia.
Dangote noted that global demand for fertilizer continues to surge due to rising food insecurity and shrinking agricultural productivity worldwide. By scaling production, he said Africa is positioning itself not only as a competitive player in global agriculture but also as a stabilizing force in global food supply chains.
He added that increasing output will help reduce Africa’s reliance on imported fertilizers, lower costs for farmers and boost crop yields across the continent. “Africa cannot achieve food security if we continue to depend heavily on imports,” he said. “Our goal is to make fertilizer abundant, affordable and accessible for farmers everywhere.”
Industry analysts say Dangote’s target is ambitious but achievable, given the company’s growing export footprint and ongoing facility upgrades. If successful, the achievement would position Nigeria as a central hub in global fertilizer supply.
The expansion also has implications for Africa’s broader industrialization push, signalling a shift from reliance on raw commodities to large-scale manufacturing and global competitiveness.