Dangote Fertilizer to Add Four Urea Granulation Units Using German Technology

News in brief:

-Dangote Fertilizer has partnered with Germany’s thyssenkrupp Uhde to deploy UFT® Fluid Bed Granulation Technology for four new urea units in Lekki.

-The expansion will raise Nigeria’s annual urea granule production capacity from 2.65 million to over 8 million metric tons.

Dangote Fertilizer Limited has entered a strategic collaboration with thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology to license and deploy the company’s UFT® Fluid Bed Granulation Technology for four new urea granulation units in Nigeria.

Each unit will have a daily capacity of 4,235 metric tons, expanding the company's annual output from approximately 2.65 million metric tons to more than 8 million metric tons. The new facilities will be built in Lekki, adjacent to the company’s existing complexes, which have operated with the same technology since 2021. Those plants currently produce 3,850 metric tons per day each.

Technology Package Includes Equipment, Design, Emissions Control

Under the agreement, thyssenkrupp Uhde will provide a full technology license, Process Design Package, and proprietary equipment, including granulators and scrubbers. The new plants will incorporate UFT’s energy-efficient scrubbing system, designed to reduce dust and ammonia emissions while maintaining low pressure drop. The units will also feature Ammonia Convert Technology, which enables the integration of ammonium sulfate byproducts into the urea granules. In summary, the process is expected to reduce waste streams and provide additional commercial value.

Partners Emphasise Sustainability and Food Security

Nadja Haakansson, CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde, said the partnership reflects a shared goal of strengthening sustainable industrial production and supporting food security. She noted that UFT® Fluid Bed Granulation Technology has established a global benchmark for efficiency and environmental performance. Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, described the agreement as a significant milestone in efforts to enhance agricultural self-sufficiency across Africa. He said the project will enable Nigeria to produce high-quality, globally competitive urea while maintaining stringent environmental safeguards.

Strengthening Nigeria’s Fertiliser Value Chain

Dangote Fertilizer remains one of Africa’s largest producers and is expanding to meet rising demand for crop nutrients across the region. UFT® Fluid Bed Granulation Technology is used for more than 70% of global urea production, offering high efficiency and keeping emissions well below regulatory limits. The new units are expected to reinforce Nigeria’s position as a key supplier of fertiliser to domestic and export markets, while supporting broader goals related to agricultural productivity and food security.