2027: Dangote refinery, fertiliser projects to employ 90,000 in Lagos

President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has projected that more than 90,000 people will be employed at the group’s refinery, petrochemical and fertiliser operations in Lagos by 2027, as the conglomerate expands its industrial investments.

Dangote disclosed this in an interview, saying the expansion was driven by the need to create jobs for Africa’s growing youthful population and boost local production across key sectors.

“The refinery expansion is huge. By next year, we expect to have almost 90,000 people working on the refinery and fertiliser projects in Lagos,” he said.

The industrialist also unveiled plans to establish 20 fertiliser blending plants in strategic locations across Africa to improve access to agricultural inputs, strengthen food production and ensure more reliable supply to farmers.

The initiatives form part of an investment programme estimated at $65 billion over four years, covering refining, fertiliser, petrochemicals, power, pipelines and other businesses.

Dangote said job creation remained a major priority for the group, noting that Africa’s expanding population required increased industrial capacity to provide sustainable employment.

“My biggest concern is job creation in Africa. We have a very youthful population, and we are not creating enough jobs. We must push harder to create opportunities and keep our young people productively engaged,” he said.

The refinery expansion is expected to add 700,000 barrels per day to its processing capacity, bringing the planned total to about 1.4 million barrels per day, alongside additional petrochemical facilities and infrastructure.

On fertiliser production, Dangote said the group was targeting nine million tonnes of urea capacity, 1.2 million tonnes of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and one million tonnes of NPK blending capacity in Lagos.

He also disclosed plans to begin mining potash and phosphate in Congo-Brazzaville, as part of efforts to strengthen the continent’s supply of essential agricultural inputs.

“We also plan to establish 20 blending plants in strategic locations across Africa. We intend to begin mining potash and phosphate in Congo-Brazzaville very soon,” he said.

Dangote said the blending plants would enable farmers in countries where the group operates, as well as neighbouring markets, to access fertiliser throughout the year without depending on lengthy import and delivery processes.

“What we want is for the countries where we operate, and their neighbours, to have fertiliser available 365 days a year. Farmers should be able to buy it when they need it, without worrying about supply,” he said.

He cited Ethiopia as an example of the logistical challenges facing African countries dependent on imported fertiliser, explaining that supplies routed through Djibouti could arrive inland after the planting season.

Dangote said local production would help address such delays and improve access to fertiliser when farmers need it.

He further argued that Africa must reduce its dependence on international markets for agricultural inputs, recalling how the African Union sought fertiliser supplies from Russia during the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

“At the beginning of the Russia–Ukraine crisis, the African Union went to Russia to plead for fertiliser. I said then that, within four years, Africa should never again have to go anywhere to beg for fertiliser,” he said.

Dangote expressed confidence that access to adequate natural gas would enable the group to expand production to meet the continent’s fertiliser needs.

“If Africa needs 30 million tonnes and we can secure enough gas, we can produce and supply it,” he said.

The group’s broader investment plans also include an initial target of developing 10,000 megawatts of power in partnership with some African countries and expanding its cement production capacity to 100 million tonnes.

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Dangote said reliable electricity was critical to industrialisation, enabling African countries to process raw materials locally, retain economic value and generate employment.

He disclosed that about $50 billion of the planned investment would be allocated to existing businesses, while $15 billion would go into new ventures, including projects yet to be announced.

According to him, the investment programme would be funded through free cash flow, internally generated equity and debt.

Dangote also called on African entrepreneurs to take the lead in investing in the continent, arguing that domestic investment would encourage foreign capital.

“I am tired of hearing about ‘potential’. We have been talking about Africa’s potential for decades. But Africans themselves must invest in their continent,” he said.

He added that visible commitment by local investors would build confidence among international investors and accelerate Africa’s industrial and agricultural development.