Nigerian billionaire and industrialist Aliko Dangote has downplayed concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariff on Nigerian urea exports, saying he feels “comfortable” with the move due to higher levies placed on key competitors.
Speaking at an investment conference in Lagos on Thursday, Dangote addressed the 14% tariff imposed by the Trump administration on Nigerian imports, including urea a key agricultural fertiliser. The measure is part of broader trade restrictions introduced last month, though they are currently paused for 90 days.
Dangote Fertiliser, which began commercial operations in 2022, is one of the largest fertiliser plants in the world, producing 3 million metric tonnes of urea annually. Of that, around 37% is shipped to the United States.
“I was initially worried by the tariff on Nigeria,” said Dangote. “But when I checked who we are really competing with, we are competing with Algeria. So luckily for us, Algeria was slapped with 30 percent. So it actually makes us a bit comfortable.”
Algeria, also a key exporter of urea to the U.S. market, has been dealt a steeper blow under Trump’s trade revisions giving Nigerian exports a comparative advantage despite the 14% levy.
The development could work in Dangote’s favour, boosting the competitiveness of his urea in the U.S. market at a time when global supply chains remain volatile.
Dangote also projected strong financial growth for the wider Dangote Group, which spans fertiliser, cement, and energy sectors. He said the conglomerate’s revenues are expected to grow from the Ksh.3.2 trillion projected in 2025 to over Ksh.3.8 trillion by the following year.
Having recently launched Africa’s largest oil refinery, Dangote continues to drive industrial expansion across the continent. Despite the global trade headwinds under Trump’s administration, his focus on scale, efficiency, and market diversification appears to be paying off.
