Dangote moves fertiliser IPO forward as capacity target hits 12 million tonnes

Africa's wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to list Dangote Fertiliser Ltd on the stock exchange in the coming year, rather than the previously projected timeline of 2028. The news came during a meeting at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, where Dangote also outlined the group's expansion strategies ahead of the inauguration of a 700,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery in Lamu, Kenya.

The revised listing date coincides with Dangote's efforts to broaden the scope of his fertiliser business. The company aims to expand its production capacity from the current 3 million tonnes to 12 million tonnes annually, with six new production lines expected to be operational between late 2028 and early 2029. This expansion is part of Dangote's ambition to become the world's largest fertiliser producer and increase his presence in global markets.

Dangote has expressed a desire for the fertiliser business to be publicly owned, similar to the recently completed IPO of Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, which was described as an "IPO of the people." The fertiliser business expansion includes the development of potash and phosphate mines, and the company currently produces 2.2 million tonnes of diammonium phosphate (DAP).

The push to expand the fertiliser sector has been driven by disruptions in global fertiliser supplies due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Africa's heavy reliance on imported fertilisers. Dangote is expected to hold a 60% stake in the Ethiopian fertiliser project, while Ethiopian Investment Holdings will own the remaining 40%. This expansion is part of the broader strategy to boost fertiliser production and strengthen Dangote's standing in the global market.