Dangote Moves to Launch Sugar Refinery in Ghana as Import Bill Rises to $162 Million
- Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has disclosed plans to build a massive sugar refinery in Ghana
- The new project is expected to cut Ghana’s sugar import bill, estimated at $162 billion annually
- He said the project would feature a daily sugarcane crushing capacity of 12,000 tons, irrigation infrastructure of 25,000 hectares of farmland
Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has unveiled plans to build a massive sugar refinery in Ghana. The project would curb the country's reliance on sugar imports and boost local agro-industrial capacity.
Dangote disclosed this in a LinkedIn post, stating that the new Dangote Sugar Refinery will be located in Kwame-Danso, Bono Region, and will become a cornerstone of the West African country’s industrial transformation.
Source: Getty Images
Dangote gives reasons for new refinery
The project falls under Ghana’s One District, One Factory (1d1f) plan, which is expected to reduce Ghana’s annual sugar import bill, estimated at $162 million.
The new refinery will feature a daily sugarcane crushing capacity of 12,000 tons, irrigation infrastructure of 25,000 hectares of farmland and production lines for sugar, molasses, and ethanol.
Dangote moves to reduce sugar import bills
The Nigerian billionaire disclosed that all necessary permits have been secured and land purchase processes finalised, paving the way for full implementation.
According to him, with land secured and the necessary approvals received, the conglomerate is moving forward with the support of Ghana’s ambitious 1d1f initiative.
He stated that the project tackles the country’s $162 million import bill while fostering a sustainable and homegrown solution.
Apart from the refinery’s economic impact, Dangote revealed the larger impact of the plan on Africa.
More jobs for Ghanaians
He disclosed that the company envisions more than just a factory, but a catalyst for economic independence, employment opportunities, and infrastructure impact across Africa.
The new refinery will further cement Dangote Group’s footprint in the region and align with larger regional efforts to boost food security, industrial output, and job creation.
The refinery is expected to generate jobs across farming, logistics, and manufacturing industries in Ghana.
Dangote Sugar loses N192.6 billion
In the first quarter of 2025, Dangote Sugar Plc reported a loss after tax of N192.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, a 161% increase from the N73.76 billion loss in 2023.
The company’s audited results showed that its loss before tax grew significantly to N270.89 billion last year, relative to N108.92 billion the year before.
Punch reports that despite the 51% rise in revenue to N665.95 billion from N441.45 billion in 2023, the firm’s sales cost increased by 78% to N634.58 billion from N355.15 billion, wiping out profitability.
The development led to a decline in gross profit of 64% at N31.11 billion from N86.3 billion in 2023.
Dangote Sugar Plc also faced increasing finance costs, which rose by 54% to N301.28 billion in 2024 from N201.66 billion the previous year.
Dangote is at ease with the US tariffs on Nigeria
Legit.ng earlier reported that Africa’s richest man, said on Thursday, May 1, 2025, that he was okay with the effect President Donald Trump’s tariffs would have on his urea exports to the US because a major competitor, Alegria, had been slapped with a heavier tariff.
Legit.ng earlier reported that Trump imposed a 14% tariff on imports from Nigeria, the largest oil exporter in Africa, as part of his global trade measures, which he later paused for 90 days.
Dangote reportedly said during an investment conference in Lagos that his fertiliser plant, which commenced operations three years ago, shipped 37% of its three million metric tonnes of urea production to the US.
Source: Getty Images
The Nigerian billionaire said he was initially concerned about the effect of Trump’s levy on Nigeria.
Dangote said.
“But when I checked who we are competing with, we are competing with Algeria. So luckily for us, Algeria were slapped with 30 per cent,” said Dangote. “So it makes us a bit comfortable.”
According to a Reuters report, Dangote said he expected revenues from the Dangote Group to grow to over $30 billion next year, from $25 billion forecasted for 2025.
Dangote refinery partner stations lower petrol prices again
Legit.ng earlier reported that filling stations selling Dangote petrol lowered fuel prices again after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) announced a new price.
Legit.ng earlier reported that NNPC’s petrol prices were cheaper than Dangote's petrol after the state oil firm released its prices for various regions.
Findings show that MRS, which sold Dangote petrol for N900 per litre, reduced the price by N20, selling at N880 as of Thursday, May 1, 2025.
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Source: Legit.ng
