Dangote Group has announced a $700 million expansion initiative aimed at reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported sugar by significantly increasing local production.

The investment, led by Dangote Sugar Refinery—a subsidiary of the group—will be directed toward land development, upgrading equipment, enhancing infrastructure, workforce training, and community engagement. The goal is to establish a robust local supply chain capable of producing enough raw sugar to meet domestic demand and support future industrial growth.

Ravindra Singhvi, CEO of Dangote Sugar Refinery, highlighted the project during the 2025 Lagos International Trade Fair, noting that it aligns with the company’s broader backward-integration strategy. The sugar products will be available in 100g, 250g, 500g, and 1kg packs, increasing accessibility for households and small businesses.

Fatima Aliko-Dangote, Group Executive Director of Commercial Operations at Dangote Group, emphasized that the overarching aim is to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base and retain more of the value chain domestically. She added that industrial expansion not only creates jobs but also supports smaller businesses that rely on locally manufactured goods.

Funmi Sanni, Dangote Cement’s Sales and Marketing Director, represented the group at the event and linked the sugar expansion to the conglomerate’s ongoing initiatives in refining, fertilizers, and petrochemicals.

Dangote Sugar Refinery remains Nigeria’s largest sugar producer, with a production capacity of 1.44 million metric tonnes. The company also reported strong financial results for the first nine months of its 2025 fiscal year, with revenue rising to N626.24 billion from N484.42 billion a year earlier. Losses were sharply reduced, falling from N184.4 billion in the same period of 2024 to N10.59 billion.