Africa imports approximately 5 million tonnes of fertilisers annually worth over $4 billion, primarily from Russia, Morocco (for phosphate products), China, and the Middle East. This import dependency exposes African farmers to the extreme price volatility demonstrated in 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine war and gas supply disruptions pushed fertiliser prices up 200 to 300 percent, triggering food security crises across import-dependent agricultural economies. Morocco's OCP Group, the world's largest phosphate producer, is the continent's dominant fertiliser manufacturer, operating the world's largest integrated phosphate-to-fertiliser complex at Jorf Lasfar and exporting to over 50 countries.

New African Production

OCP's Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Partnership is investing in fertiliser blending facilities in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Ghana, creating locally blended formulations matched to specific soil types and crops. Nigeria Gas Resources Corporation is completing an ammonia plant at Ajaokuta using natural gas that will produce 2 million tonnes of ammonia annually for urea manufacture. AfCFTA is creating a more integrated African fertiliser market where Moroccan phosphates and West African natural gas can combine into fertiliser products for the continent's farmers. Fertiliser buyers and agricultural input distributors can access supply contacts on intra-africa.com.

For businesses looking to expand across Africa, intra-africa.com offers a comprehensive trade directory, verified buyer and seller listings, and real-time market intelligence covering all 54 African nations. It remains an indispensable resource for anyone serious about intra-African commerce.