Italian engineering & construction giant Saipem has been awarded two major contracts by Africa’s leading fertilizer producer, Dangote Fertilizer, marking a significant expansion of its footprint on the continent. 

 

The contracts cover technical know-how and licensing for six urea units—four in Nigeria and two in Ethiopia—along with the provision of basic engineering and design services for the related plants.

 

The licenses involve the use of patented Snamprogetti Urea technology, while the process engineering services include all technical documentation needed to build the urea units. Each unit will feature a record-breaking capacity of 4,235 metric tons per day (MTPD), the highest ever achieved worldwide.

 

“These new plants are part of an industrial plan that foresees the construction of six integrated Ammonia/Urea complexes – four in Nigeria and two in Ethiopia – for a total production capacity of over 25,000 MTPD of urea,” Saipem confirmed.

 

Additionally, Saipem and Dangote Fertilizer have signed a Letter of Intent for Front End Engineering Design (FEED) services for a new Ethiopian complex. Developed in partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings, the plant in Gode, Somali region, will have an annual capacity of 3 million tons of urea.

 

“With these new licensing and process engineering contracts, Saipem consolidates its leadership in the fertilizer sector, strengthening its presence on the continent and confirming its ability to deliver high-efficiency, low environmental impact technological solutions, and setting new standards for the sector,” the company said.

 

Snamprogetti Urea technology, already adopted in more than 140 operating units worldwide, continues to cement Saipem’s reputation for global technical know-how in fertilizer production.