AFRICA’S richest individual, Aliko Dangote, has formally applied to construct what he describes as Nigeria’s biggest and deepest seaport along the Atlantic coast at Olokola in Ogun State, according to filings submitted in late June 2025 and reported by Bloomberg News. The move is part of the industrialist’s vision for the next phase of expansion across his fertiliser, petrochemical and refining operations.
Strategic positioning and industrial synergy
Located around 100 kilometres by road from Lagos, the proposed port will closely interface with Dangote’s existing infrastructure — including the $3bn fertiliser plant and the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery in the Lekki Free Trade Zone. At present, the group exports urea and fertilizer via a private jetty near the refinery, which also handles heavy machinery. The new seaport is expected to streamline and scale logistics across operations.
Export ambitions and LNG pipelines
Dangote’s expansion includes plans to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Lagos. According to Devakumar Edwin, Vice‑President of Dangote Group, this will require constructing pipelines from the gas-rich Niger Delta to coastal facilities at Lagos or Olokola. The aim is to exceed the export capacity of Nigeria LNG Ltd., currently Africa’s leading LNG exporter.
Rival to Lekki and broader investment signal
Once operational, the new port is expected to rival the Chinese-funded Lekki Deep Sea Port, which began operations in early 2023. Dangote emphasised the wider significance of this infrastructure, saying: ‘It’s not that we want to do everything by ourselves, but … this kind of investment will inspire other entrepreneurs to get involved too.’
Economic impact and long‑term vision
The Olokola port project aligns with Dangote’s broader agenda to push Nigeria—and Africa—towards industrial self sufficiency. His fertiliser plant alone is expected to help displace imports across the continent within 40 months, aiming to surpass Qatar as the world’s largest urea exporter. Meanwhile, the refinery is ramping up towards processing 650,000 barrels per day, ultimately reducing domestic fuel import dependency and boosting exports.
Dangote’s industrial empire is projected to approach $30bn in revenue, up from current levels and supported by expanded fertiliser, petrochemical and export activity across the continent.
