Ethiopia has entered a new chapter in its industrial and energy journey with the launch of two historic mega projects, the construction of a urea fertilizer plant in partnership with the Dangote Group and the development of the Gode Oil Refinery by Golden Concord Group Limited (GCL).

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali laid the foundation stone in Calub, Somali Region, describing the projects as a “historic occasion for all Ethiopians” and a turning point in the country’s march toward self-reliance, food security, and energy sovereignty.

The fertilizer plant, spearheaded by Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) in collaboration with Dangote, will produce up to 3 million tons of urea annually. Its feedstock will be natural gas supplied from the Calub gas fields through a 108 km pipeline, cementing the project’s link between Ethiopia’s natural resources and its agricultural ambitions.

Meanwhile, the Gode Oil Refinery is set to have an annual production capacity of 3.5 million tons, processing crude oil and condensate from the Hilala oil field. Together, the two projects symbolize Ethiopia’s growing capacity to move beyond resource extraction toward value addition and industrial transformation.

“These projects represent more than industrial progress. They embody our shared responsibility to harness opportunities, strengthen cooperation, and promote peace,” the Prime Minister said, calling on Ethiopians to unite in support of national development. “By doing so, we elevate Ethiopia’s presence on the global stage in a way that honors the true spirit of our Ethiopian identity.”

Alongside these major undertakings, Ethiopia also inaugurated the first phase of the Ogaden Liquified Natural Gas Project in Calub, with an annual output of 111 million liters, while launching the second phase, which will add 1.33 billion liters per year. The facility not only strengthens Ethiopia’s position as a regional energy player but also supports domestic energy generation with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts.

The government emphasized that the LNG plant is more than a gas project, it is a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s food sovereignty efforts, supplying critical inputs for fertilizer production, while also feeding into energy needs and emerging sectors such as crypto-mining.

Prime Minister Abiy underlined the government’s commitment to delivering on promises, noting that the combined value of the Somali Region’s mega projects, including associated infrastructure, amounts to USD 10 billion. “Without a doubt, all the mega projects we inaugurated today… will be carried through to completion, as we have always been committed to finishing what we start,” he affirmed.

The partnership with Dangote Group, a company already established as a leading player in Africa’s cement and fertilizer industries, signals Ethiopia’s intent to attract high-level strategic investors who share its long-term vision of sustainable development.