Addis Ababa, October 2, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today laid the foundation stone for two major industrial projects in Somali Region: a urea fertilizer plant and the Gode Oil Refinery.
The fertilizer plant, developed by Ethiopian Investment Holdings in partnership with the Dangote Group, will have an annual production capacity of 3 million tons. It will utilize natural gas from the Calub fields, delivered through a 108-kilometer pipeline.
The Gode Oil Refinery, to be constructed by Golden Concord Group Limited (GCL), will produce 3.5 million tons of oil per year, using crude oil and condensate from the Hilala oil field.
In a social media statement, PM Abiy said the projects represent more than industrial progress.
“Today marks a historic occasion for all Ethiopians as we lay the foundation stone for two transformative projects: the urea fertilizer plant, to be developed by Ethiopian Investment Holdings in partnership with the Dangote Group, and the Gode Oil Refinery, to be constructed by Golden Concord Group Limited (GCL),” the Prime Minister said in a social media post.
According to him, the projects reflect a shared responsibility to harness opportunities, strengthen cooperation, and promote peace.
He called on all Ethiopians to continue mobilizing in unity for progress, noting that such efforts will elevate Ethiopia’s presence on the global stage while reflecting the nation’s identity.
PM Abiy added, “These projects represent more than industrial progress. They embody our shared responsibility to harness opportunities, strengthen cooperation, and promote peace. Hence I call upon all Ethiopians to continue mobilizing in unity for progress. By doing so, we elevate Ethiopia’s presence on the global stage in a way that honors the true spirit of our Ethiopian identity.”
It is to be recalled that in August 2025, Ethiopia and Nigeria’s Dangote Group signed a $2.5 billion agreement to construct a urea fertilizer plant in Gode, Somali Region. Under the terms, Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) holds a 40% stake, while Dangote Group owns 60%.