The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has committed $600 million to support a major fertiliser expansion programme led by Dangote Group, a move aimed at strengthening Africa’s food security, boosting agricultural productivity and reducing the continent’s dependence on imported fertiliser.

The financing will be channelled through Greenview Fertiliser Corp., Dangote Group’s fertiliser holding company, as part of a broader $7 billion investment programme that will significantly increase urea production capacity in Nigeria while establishing a new fertiliser plant in Ethiopia.

The project represents one of the largest investments in Africa’s agricultural inputs sector and further strengthens AFC’s long-standing partnership with the Dangote Group on large-scale industrial projects.

Expanding Africa’s Fertiliser Production Capacity

The expansion programme is designed to triple Nigeria’s annual urea production capacity from 3 million metric tonnes to 9 million metric tonnes. In addition, a new fertiliser production facility with capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum will be developed in Ethiopia.

Once completed, the combined operations are expected to create what could become the world’s largest fertiliser production complex, positioning Africa as a major supplier to both regional and international markets.

The investment comes as governments and agribusiness stakeholders increasingly seek to improve access to affordable fertiliser amid growing concerns over food security, rising input costs and global supply chain disruptions.

Supporting Food Security and Agricultural Growth

Africa continues to rely heavily on imported fertiliser despite possessing some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, a key feedstock for urea production, as well as vast areas of uncultivated arable land.

Industry analysts have long identified limited fertiliser availability and high input costs as major constraints to agricultural productivity across the continent.

By expanding domestic production capacity, the Dangote programme aims to improve fertiliser availability, reduce import dependence and help farmers access more stable supplies of agricultural inputs.

Dangote Industries President and Chief Executive Officer Aliko Dangote said the expansion reflects the company’s commitment to supporting Africa’s agricultural transformation and industrial development.

The project is expected to strengthen regional food systems, increase fertiliser exports and support economic growth through expanded manufacturing activity.

AFC Deepens Industrial Investment Strategy

The new commitment follows AFC’s previous involvement in several flagship Dangote projects, including its role as co-coordinating bank for the $3 billion syndicated financing package that supported the development of the Dangote Refinery.

AFC has also received full repayment of an earlier $300 million senior loan extended to Dangote Industries, with the new fertiliser investment representing a doubling of that original commitment.

The corporation has positioned industrial development, infrastructure, energy, logistics and food systems among its key strategic priorities for driving long-term economic growth across Africa.

AFC President and Chief Executive Officer Samaila Zubairu said increasing fertiliser production is critical to addressing future food demand as Africa’s population continues to grow.

According to AFC, Africa’s current fertiliser consumption remains significantly below levels seen in other major agricultural economies despite comparable population sizes, highlighting substantial potential for productivity improvements.

Reducing Import Dependence

The investment is expected to support broader efforts to build resilient agricultural supply chains across Africa by reducing exposure to global fertiliser shortages and commodity price fluctuations.

For farmers, greater local production could improve access to affordable fertiliser, helping increase crop yields and strengthen food security.

As Africa seeks to modernise its agricultural sector and meet rising food demand, large-scale investments in fertiliser production are increasingly viewed as essential to unlocking the continent’s agricultural potential and supporting sustainable economic development.