Nigeria’s Dangote Fertiliser to expand urea output with Thyssenkrupp technology

By Isaac Anyaogu

Nigeria’s Dangote Fertiliser plans to use technology from a subsidiary of Germany’s Thyssenkrupp TKA to build four new urea granulation units, the companies said on Monday.

Each unit will be capable of producing 4,235 metric tons of urea a day, raising Dangote’s annual output to more than 8 million tons from 2.65 million tons, putting it among the world’s largest producers of the organic compound.

The new units will be built adjacent to Dangote’s fertilizer complex in Lekki, Lagos, which has operated with Thyssenkrupp’s UFT technology since 2021.

The expansion will use the German firm’s advanced low-emission UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology, which is used in more than 70% of global urea production.

The agreement includes a process design package and proprietary equipment, including granulators and scrubbers. It will also incorporate ammonia-conversion technology to put ammonium sulfate byproducts into the granules, eliminating waste and improving logistics.

“This partnership underscores our shared vision for sustainable industrial development and global food security,” said Nadja Haakansson, CEO of Thyssenkrupp.

Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote said the expansion reflected the company’s commitment to agricultural self-sufficiency and positions Nigeria as a leading fertilizer producer.