The Dangote Group is set to more than double the production capacity of its flagship fertilizer plant, aiming to meet domestic demand and expand exports across Africa, according to Aliyu Suleiman, Chief Strategy Officer at Dangote Industries Ltd.

Speaking Thursday at an event in Abuja, Suleiman stated: “There’s a plan to more than double the fertilizer production capacity and to also invest in other areas of fertilizer, so that all the fertilizer needs of Nigeria and other African countries can be met by the group.”

The $2.5 billion granulated urea plant, currently Africa’s largest, produces 3 million metric tons of fertilizer annually. The expansion, Suleiman noted, aligns with the Group’s long-term strategy to position Nigeria as a key agro-industrial hub for the continent.

In addition to the fertilizer push, Dangote Industries also intends to scale up its 650,000 barrels-per-day oil refinery—the largest in Africa—“as the economics dictate,” Suleiman said. The Group will also continue strategic investments in the petrochemicals sector.

Since coming online in January 2024, the Dangote Refinery has reportedly slashed petroleum product prices by at least $50 per ton, offering significant cost relief for Nigerian consumers and reshaping regional supply chains. “Market share has been taken by the refinery from refineries across the world and from international shipping lines,” Suleiman explained. “Much of that value is now accruing to Nigeria.”

In a move to unlock further capital, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, announced last month that the urea fertilizer plant will be listed later this year, with the oil refinery set for public listing by the end of 2026.

The developments underscore Dangote Group’s growing influence in Africa’s industrial transformation, from agriculture and energy to global trade