Aliko Dangote targets global fertiliser dominance by 2026 as Nigeria’s urea exports rise, with CNG trucks and EVs to boost logistics and jobs

Aliko Dangote targets global fertiliser dominance, declaring Nigeria’s ambition to lead the world in urea exports by 2026.

Also read: ‘A factory tour’ Buhari set to inaugurate Dangote fertilizer plant, inspect new Lagos Seaport

The President of Dangote Group made the bold announcement on Monday at an event marking one year since the Dangote Refinery began gasoline production.

Addressing journalists at the sprawling refinery complex in Lagos, Dangote said the Group is scaling up operations to position Nigeria at the centre of the global fertiliser and petrochemical supply chain.

“We’re actually targeting to be the largest exporter of urea fertiliser in the world. And that’s a big celebration for Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the fertiliser expansion will significantly boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and improve food security, especially across Africa where demand for fertiliser still far exceeds supply.

Beyond fertiliser, the industrialist pointed to major strides in petrochemical production, particularly in polypropylene, a key raw material used in packaging, textiles, and automotive manufacturing.

“Nigeria will be the largest exporter of polypropylene in Africa. And we’re not deterred by all this noise coming through,” he added.

Experts believe this could reduce Africa’s reliance on petrochemical imports from Asia and Europe, placing Nigeria as a strategic regional hub.

The event also saw the rollout of 1,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks—a major logistics shift aimed at easing fuel distribution challenges and cutting transport costs.

Dangote revealed that this is the first phase of a larger plan to deploy 4,000 CNG trucks nationwide before the end of the year.

Each truck, priced between N170 million and N190 million, forms part of a logistics investment exceeding N2 trillion.

He explained that the initiative would not only boost energy access but also create an estimated 24,000 direct and indirect jobs, given that each truck would require a team of six to manage operations and maintenance.

“These are not robotic trucks. Every truck will have drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, and logistics staff,” he said, highlighting that drivers’ salaries would be three to four times the national minimum wage.

Looking ahead, Dangote announced plans to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) for logistics beginning February 2026, signalling the group’s commitment to green energy transition.

“Our next phase is electric vehicles,” he said, aligning with global sustainability trends.

Also read: Dangote proposes atlantic seaport to boost Nigerian export capacity

With urea, polypropylene, CNG logistics, and EV deployment on the horizon, Dangote Group is fast cementing its role as a transformative force in Africa’s industrial, economic, and environmental future.