Key Points

• Dangote Sugar Refinery is investing $700 million to expand local sugar production and strengthen the supply chain.
• The company introduced new product sizes to reach households and small businesses nationwide.
• Dangote’s expansions in refining, fertiliser, and polypropylene aim to create jobs and reduce import pressure.

Aliko Dangote has begun a $700 million plan to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported sugar. He wants to build a stronger local supply chain and raise national output.

The project runs through Dangote Sugar Refinery and covers new farmland, equipment upgrades and community support.

The group also has plans to grow its oil and petrochemical operations. It expects to raise the capacity of the Dangote Refinery to 1.4 million barrels per day within three years.

Company unveils new product sizes

At the Lagos International Trade Fair, Dangote Sugar rolled out new product sizes for households and small businesses. The packs come in 100g, 250g, 500g and 1kg units.

Chief Executive Ravindra Singhvi noted that the move supports the push for backward integration. It also widens access for customers across the country.

Expansion supports wider industrial growth

Fatima Aliko Dangote, the group’s executive director for commercial operations, said the plan will strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.

She explained that large-scale manufacturing creates jobs and supports smaller firms.

Her remarks were delivered by Funmi Sanni, the sales and marketing director at Dangote Cement.

She added that the refinery upgrade remains on track to reach 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028.

She also pointed to progress at Dangote Fertiliser Limited and Dangote Polypropylene. These expansions aim to raise production and ease pressure from imported goods.

Investments spread across Africa

The group is also expanding outside Nigeria. Sanni highlighted a $2.5 billion urea complex under construction in Gode, Ethiopia.

The plant is a joint project with Ethiopian Investment Holdings. It is expected to produce 3 million tonnes of urea each year.

The complex should support farmers, boost regional output and create thousands of jobs.

Revenue rises as losses fall

Dangote Sugar Refinery remains the biggest sugar producer in Nigeria. It has a capacity of 1.44 million metric tonnes. Dangote holds a 68% stake in the company.

The firm reported revenue of ₦626.24 billion for the first nine months of 2025. That is up from ₦484.42 billion in the same period last year.

Losses dropped to ₦10.59 billion from ₦184.4 billion. The results show one of the company’s strongest improvements in recent years.