Dangote rolls out $700m plan to end Nigeria’s sugar imports

The Dangote Group has announced a major $700 million investment to boost Nigeria’s sugar production and reduce the country’s dependence on imported sugar.

Dangote Sugar Refinery will use the money to develop more farmland, buy equipment, build infrastructure, train workers and support local communities.

The goal is to produce enough raw sugar locally to meet Nigeria’s needs and support future manufacturing.

Speaking at the 2025 Lagos International Trade Fair, the company’s CEO, Ravindra Singhvi, said the new plan is part of their effort to strengthen backward integration producing more raw materials within Nigeria.

He added that new sugar packs will come in 100g, 250g, 500g, and 1kg sizes to serve households and small businesses.

Fatima Aliko-Dangote, Group Executive Director for Commercial Operations, said the company wants to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial sector and keep more of the production chain inside the country. She added that industrial growth creates jobs and helps smaller businesses that rely on local manufacturing.

Represented by Funmi Sanni, Sales and Marketing Director at Dangote Cement, she linked the sugar project to the group’s other efforts in refining, fertilizers and petrochemicals.

Dangote Sugar Refinery is Nigeria’s biggest sugar producer, with a capacity of 1.44 million metric tonnes.

The company also reported improved finances:

Revenue for the first nine months of 2025 rose to N626.24 billion, up from N484.42 billion in 2024.

Losses fell sharply from N184.4 billion last year to N10.59 billion.