Multiple contracts for Dangote Fertilizer projects

AFRICA

Multiple contracts for Dangote Fertilizer projects

Leading European engineering companies and technology licensors secured contracts with Dangote Fertilizer in November and December 2025 for two new large-scale nitrogen fertilizer projects in Nigeria and Ethiopia.

The awards are part of an industrial plan by Dangote to construct six integrated ammonia-urea plants – four at its existing Lekki production complex in Nigeria and two at a new fertilizer complex at Gode, Ethiopia. They include:

• The award of two contracts to Saipem for basic engineering and design services for six urea units – four in Nigeria and two in Ethiopia.

• A strategic agreement with Thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology (UFT) a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Uhde, to license UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology for four new urea granulation units in Nigeria.

• The award of licensing agreements to Topsoe for six new ammonia production units (2,500 tonnes per day capacity each) – four in Nigeria and two in Ethiopia.

Saipem’s two new contracts with Dangote Fertilizer include licenses for its proprietary Snamprogetti™ urea technology and engineering services for the construction of six urea production units. Each unit will offer a record 4,235 tonnes per day (t/d) of production capacity – the highest ever achieved worldwide, according to Saipem.

Additionally, Saipem and Dangote Fertilizer have signed a letter of intent for front end engineering design (FEED) services for a new fertilizer complex at Gode in the Somali region of Ethiopia. This plant, which is being developed by Dangote in partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings, will have an annual urea production capacity of three million tonnes.

UFT’s four new granulation units will be constructed in Lekki, Nigeria, adjacent to Dangote’s existing fertilizer complex. Two UFT units have been operating at this site since 2021, each with the capacity to produce 3,850 t/d of urea.

Dangote’s new agreement with UFT covers technology licensing, a comprehensive process design package (PDP), and the supply of proprietary equipment such as granulators and scrubbers. Each of the four new granulation units will have a nameplate capacity of 4,235 t/d, boosting Dangote Fertilizer’s annual urea granulation capacity at Lekki from approximately 2.65 million tonnes to more than eight million tonnes.

The new units will incorporate UFT’s energy-efficient scrubbing system. This is designed to minimise pressure drop while effectively controlling dust and ammonia emissions. They will also feature Ammonia Convert Technology (ACT). This integrates ammonium sulphate by-products into urea granules and eliminates waste streams.

Nadja Haakansson, CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde, said: “This partnership with Dangote Fertiliser Limited underscores our shared vision for sustainable industrial development and global food security. By deploying our proven UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology, we are setting new standards in efficiency and environmental stewardship in fertilizer production.”

Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, said: “We are pleased to deepen our collaboration with thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology for the expansion of our fertilizer operations in Lekki. This initiative reflects our commitment to agricultural self-sufficiency and industrial progress across Africa.”