Dangote Proposes Nigeria's Largest Deep Port to Boost Exports and Challenge Rivals

July 15, 2025
Dangote Proposes Nigeria's Largest Deep Port to Boost Exports and Challenge Rivals
  • The port's location in the Olokola Free Trade Zone, an area previously abandoned due to unresolved issues with local authorities, marks a significant development for the region.

  • Beyond port construction, Dangote plans to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Lagos, which will involve building pipelines from the Niger Delta, to expand his export capabilities.

  • This new port is strategically planned near his fertilizer and oil refineries to improve logistics, support exports, and compete with recent facilities like the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which opened in 2023.

  • Aliko Dangote, Africa's wealthiest individual, has proposed building Nigeria's largest and deepest port in Ogun State, aiming to bolster his industrial and export capacities.

  • His existing operations utilize natural gas from the Niger Delta to power fertilizer production, with gas serving as a key feedstock for hydrogen and other processes.

  • Currently, fertilizer and urea are exported via a private jetty near his refinery, which also handles heavy equipment, but the new port aims to significantly increase export volume.

  • Dangote believes that his investment in such infrastructure could inspire other entrepreneurs to pursue similar large-scale projects.

  • Overall, Dangote's plans reflect his broader vision to strengthen Nigeria's export capacity and solidify his position as a leading industrial powerhouse in Africa.

  • Located approximately 100 kilometers from Dangote's key facilities in Lagos, the port's proximity is designed to enhance export efficiency for his conglomerate, which operates across sectors including fertilizer, oil, and cement.

  • Dangote's group submitted the necessary paperwork for the project in late June 2025, with plans to make it the largest and deepest port in Nigeria, though approval from regional authorities remains uncertain.

  • He has ambitious growth targets, projecting $30 billion in revenue by 2026 and aiming to become the world's largest urea exporter within four years, surpassing Qatar.

  • The port's development in the Olokola Free Trade Zone, an area with a complex history, signifies a major step forward in Nigeria's maritime infrastructure.

Summary based on 2 sources


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