Dangote Announces Major Export Expansion Plans in Nigeria

Aliko Dangote, the president of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), the richest man in Africa, has announced plans to increase Nigeria’s export capacity with a bold project that focuses on fertilizer exports that may generate up to $7 million per day.

Dangote described his export strategy as an unprecedented business endeavor for Nigeria while speaking at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) headquarters in Lagos.

“We plan to export roughly 16,000 tons of fertilizer over the next two years,” he stated. That equates to roughly $6.5 million to $7 million in revenue that will enter the nation every day. We will send about eight cargoes of fertilizer.

With an annual production capacity of 3 million metric tons, the Dangote Fertilizer factory is Africa’s largest granulated urea producing complex. By strengthening Nigeria’s farming sector and reducing reliance on foreign agricultural supplies, this facility has been crucial.

The business tycoon’s aim goes far beyond shipping fertilizer. He presented detailed plans to increase exports of many product categories, including as cement, coal, polypropylene, and various petroleum derivatives, during his Sunday meeting with NPA head Abubakar Dantsoho.

“We are going to be significantly growing our export business in the near future. We already ship cement from Nigeria, as several of you who visited our cement factory in Itori may know. He revealed that his company will start exporting coal in a few weeks and stated, “We have a whole factory of six million tons for cement export.”

Currently in operation, the enormous $20 billion petroleum refinery is expected to start exporting over 25 million tons of various products. Among other things, up to 700,000 metric tons of polypropylene will be included in these shipments.

Dangote outlined the tremendous extent of maritime operations planned for the Lekki zone. The anticipated activities will entail around 240 crude oil tankers each year, with each ship hauling one million barrels. More than 600 product carriers and a large number of fertilizer transport ships will also be needed for the operations.

He declared, “This operation has never, ever been seen in the country.” “But if NPA doesn’t provide us with the services we require, our operations will suffer.”

The businessman emphasized that more government support for the ports authority’s growth plans is crucial to successful implementation. He emphasized the necessity of more maritime resources and equipment.

These tasks cannot be completed by the [NPA] using their own hands. They require gear. He said, “They need more tugboats.”

In order to guarantee that the authority receives sufficient government support, Dangote is dedicated to promoting institutional assistance.

“We will also be putting in a few words in the necessary quarters to make sure that NPA gets all the necessary assistance from the Federal Government,” he added.

NPA Director Dantsoho acknowledged the significance of Dangote Group’s contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy sectors and reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to meeting their growing maritime needs.

Dangote’s initial expectations of 600 vessels per year have already been exceeded by current port activity. Since October 1, 2024, the authority has processed and managed more than 57 vessels per month, surpassing initial projections.

“That exceeds the projection.” In the next year or two, Nigerian ports’ operations will undoubtedly double, Dantsoho said.

While permission has been secured for new deep-water port expansions in Ibom, Bakassi, Olokola, Ondo, and Badagry locations, infrastructure upgrades at Tin-Can and Apapa port facilities are expected to start in the third quarter.

“The administration is worried about these new ports. We’ll start to see that these ports will materialize very soon,” he stated.

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This extensive export growth might establish Nigeria as a significant exporter in a number of industrial sectors, marking a revolutionary change in the country’s trading profile. The combination of fertiliser, cement, petroleum products, and other commodities could significantly boost foreign exchange earnings and strengthen Nigeria’s position in global markets.

Coordinated efforts between government and private sector infrastructure development, especially in port facilities and maritime support services, will be crucial to the success of these programs.