Rice Grain
Dangote Industries Limited has signed a long-term agreement with the Niger State Government aimed at expanding agricultural production, strengthening food security, and driving industrial development in Nigeria.
Under the partnership, Dangote Rice Limited will secure a guaranteed supply of one million metric tonnes of paddy rice over a 10-year period from Niger Foods, marking one of the largest structured rice off-take agreements in the country’s agricultural sector.
The deal is expected to help stabilise rice production, reduce import dependence, and support Nigeria’s push for food self-sufficiency.
According to the Group, the agreement forms part of a wider collaboration covering agriculture, manufacturing, and trade promotion designed to boost economic activity in Niger State.
Officials say construction work is already advancing on a major rice processing facility in Wushishi, where the Dangote Rice Mill is being developed on a 30-hectare site. The facility is designed to process about 32 metric tonnes of rice per hour when completed.
The project is expected to create jobs, support local farmers, and improve value addition within the rice production chain, linking smallholder farmers to large-scale industrial processing.
A senior representative of the Dangote Group, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, said the project aligns with the company’s long-term strategy to invest in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and support national food security goals. She added that the initiative will strengthen rural economies and increase commercial farming activity in the state.
The Niger State Government says the partnership will also encourage large-scale cultivation, with plans to develop up to 25,000 hectares of rice farms to supply the mill over time.
The Dangote Group also confirmed that several of its subsidiaries, including Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, NASCON Allied Industries, and Dangote Fertiliser, are participating in the ongoing Niger Trade Fair, showcasing investments in manufacturing, agriculture, and industrial expansion.
Officials say the broader collaboration reflects growing public-private partnerships aimed at reducing food shortages, improving local production capacity, and positioning Nigeria as a regional agricultural hub.
Industry analysts note that the deal could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s rice value chain if fully implemented, particularly by improving processing capacity and reducing post-harvest losses, while also supporting farmers through guaranteed market access.
