Nigeria directs Dangote Sugar to reach 600,000 Tonnes output by 2030 to cut import dependence 

NIGERIA – The Federal Government of Nigeria has directed Dangote Sugar Refinery to scale up production to 600,000 metric tonnes annually by 2030, as part of efforts to reduce the country’s reliance on sugar imports. 

The directive was issued by John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, during a visit to the company’s facility in Numan. He was accompanied by Kamar Bakrin, Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council. 

Enoh said the visit formed part of ongoing inspections of sugar projects nationwide, aligned with directives from Bola Tinubu to accelerate Nigeria’s push toward sugar self-sufficiency. 

He noted that Nigeria consumes approximately 1.8 million metric tonnes of sugar annually, significantly exceeding domestic production levels, and stressed the need for major industry players to bridge the supply gap. 

Describing Dangote Sugar as a critical stakeholder, Enoh said the company’s performance would shape the sector’s future. He urged the firm to meet the 600,000 metric tonnes production target by 2030 and sustain output beyond that timeline. 

The minister also highlighted collaboration under the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan, which aims to boost local production and reduce imports. He said the government remains committed to supporting operators, particularly in addressing challenges such as access to affordable long-term financing. 

Enoh added that expanding domestic production would help reduce import dependence, create jobs, and drive value addition through sugarcane processing. 

Responding, Olakunle Alake, Vice President of Dangote Group, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to increasing output. 

“We are committed to supporting the government’s objectives and will continue to invest in expanding our production capacity to meet the 600,000 metric tonnes target within the stipulated timeline,” Alake said. 

During the visit, the minister inspected the company’s 6,000 tonnes-per-day factory expansion project, alongside its fields, mills, and processing units. He also reviewed haulage systems, boilers, turbines, and sugar packaging operations at the site. 

The Nigerian government recently launched the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan to address the gap between local production and national demand, with the goal of achieving long-term self-sufficiency. 

In March, Dangote Sugar announced plans to raise up to N500 billion (US$330 million) through a rights issue to strengthen its balance sheet and fund expansion projects aimed at boosting local production. 

For the financial year ended December 31, 2025, the company reported a pre-tax loss of N72.3 billion (US$53.1M), an improvement from N270.9 billion (US$198.85M) recorded in 2024. 

Revenue rose to N665.6 billion (US$488.57M) in 2025, up from N441.5 billion (US$324.1M) in the previous year, supported by price adjustments and improved demand for refined sugar products. 

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