Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari officially inaugurated the Dangote Group fertiliser factory on Tuesday 22 March inLagos. The infrastructure costing US$2.5 billion, or over CFAF 1,489 billion, is being financed with the support of the CBN, the Central Bank of Nigeria. This jewel intends to meet the specific requirements of the soils, crops and climate of the African continent.
Finally, a great relief for those millions of farmers in the sub-region betrayed by the high price of fertiliser for agricultural production. Located on a 500-hectare site in the Lekki area, south-east of Lagos city, Dangote Fertilizer has a production capacity of 3 million tonnes of fertiliser per year, mainly nitrogen fertiliser. Indeed, it is the largest fertiliser plant in Africa and the second largest urea production unit in the world. According to the Head of State, “The plant will provide Nigeria with an opportunity to enhance food security in these difficult times.
Much more for Nigeria, a plant for Africa and the world
According to World Bank estimates, Nigeria has one of the lowest fertiliser use rates in the national agricultural sector: about 20 kg per hectare. For example, experts recommend using up to 100 kg per hectare for efficient farming. Currently, this West African giant imports up to 80% of its mineral fertiliser needs. Thus, with this new plant complex, the country will fully satisfy its fertiliser needs and at the same time become a major exporter. According to the promoters, the new global fertiliser plant would be able to meet the fertiliser needs of the whole of Africa, Brazil, the United States, etc. The plant is needed to adapt fertilisers to African soils and crops.
Dangote group, for development
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The Dangote group thus demonstrates, beyond the mega oil refinery inaugurated a few weeks ago, its ability to accompany the development of its country. For the multi-billionaire, “Dangote Fertilizer is an ambitious development project that will significantly reduce the level of unemployment through the creation of direct and indirect jobs. Our objective is to make fertiliser available in sufficient quantity and quality to our farmers, thus ensuring greater agricultural production. This new complex, in addition to supporting the country’s agricultural sector by improving yields and creating jobs, could boost the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Better still, reduce or even stop fertiliser imports. Built by Italy’s Saipem and India’s Tata Consulting Engineers, the plant will be fuelled by gas supplied by Chevron Nigeria Limited. Raw materials such as urea will be produced at their own facilities. However, phosphates and potash will be imported.
In addition, launched about two years ago, Dangote Fertilizer, one of the world’s largest fertilizer plants, is finally operational.
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After its great successes in the assembly of motor vehicles, cement, sugar, oil, etc., the Dangote Group has now fully revealed itself in the production of fertilizers.
